TeachingEnglish
Teaching methodology/approaches/strategies. What else?
Submitted by MarniJamil on 27 July, 2008 - 07:02
During my university years, I had the chance to understand the real meaning of "Second Language Acquisition". I've heard about "Critical Period Hyptheses", "Black Box", "Mental Grammar" and other terms. I have come to see that individuals are in fact, unique. By the way,the terms mentioned involve various aspects of second language learning.
Here's the thing. Like everyone else, I also have strong confidence that a learner can utilise his or her ability to the fullest if he or she has the utmost willingness to do so. As for me, I was fortunate to be introduced to my second language at a very young age. I discovered that there were several factors that contributed to the level of effectiveness of learning the second language back then. Firstly, the school uses English as the medium of conversation at school since it is a Convent school. Secondly, the students consist of students of different racial background which means that their first language might not be English in the first place. However, some of the drawbacks would be the use of colloquial words due to the existence of well-known Manglish, and the lack of self-determination to use the language with friends. Been there, done that. That's why it's easy for me to understand the situation that a learner is facing because what else is there to judge. Right?
In my views, having a strong intrinsic motivation to learn the language is crucial because one needs to always find ways to develop his or her English vocabulary, practise correct pronunciation, listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. So here we go. These are the elements that we need to instill in ourselves in order to become a good language learner.
1. Intrinsic Motivation - We are our own master so do it for your own sake! Extrinsic motivation is essential as well because it can eventually lead to having intrinsic motivation if it's done step at a time.
2. Be more resourceful - Find ways to improve ourselves. This is not the time to be shy. Use the internet (an awesome tool!), find a language partner or group members (for academic purpose only), etc. In one simple sentence - Use the language.
3. Reading aloud - I used to spend more than three hours reading English newspapers during weekends when I was still at school. Find a place that is conducive and not noisy, where we can listen to ourselves exaggerating the sentences proudly, like a native speaker :-) Hehe. Hey! I'm serious about it! In this way, we can practise the correct word pronunciation, stress pattern, tone and intonation (high/low), and improve our vocabulary. However it's up to you whether you want to change your accent totally or not because it involves the issue of our identity. For me, as long as the pronunciation is clear, then we're alright.
4. Our new life partner is our handsome and "delicious" Dictionary - As for me, I started using a Junior Chamber dictionary and gradually I am now comfortable with my Advanced Learners dictionary a.k.a life partner. I started my quest to discover the use of phonetics and phonology seriously a few years ago. I think that everyone should be taught on how to read the phonetic symbols and how to utter the correct pronunciation of the words that they found in the dictionary. This is the moment when you wished that a dictionary could talk. Now that's going to be "effing kowai"! *Mind the phrase, please*
5. Vocabulary - Learn new words everyday. I have my own Vocabulary club which consist of lucky members who happen to be my own students! I'm dragging them into this sweet situation so that we can help one another as mutual language mates. Thus, we will soon realise our strong desire to enhance our vocabulary knowledge. Just for this week, we have learnt 120 new words and I am trying to understand and remember them. I hope that they are doing the same. Up to this point of time, I am doing it intensively with my Semester Two students. I have started doing it with the rest of students of other courses. However, I have to be alert of certain aspects such as the students' level of proficiency. Moreover, the syllabus of the course needs to be adhered to as well.
I hope that these general tips help. Consequently, let's help us help ourselves to help others.
Smile!
Marni J.
July, 27
Let's get to the point. I would like to share several tips/advice/suggestions/ideas that will assist a language learner. May it be in a language classroom, at home, anywhere on Earth or even space!
Here's the thing. Like everyone else, I also have strong confidence that a learner can utilise his or her ability to the fullest if he or she has the utmost willingness to do so. As for me, I was fortunate to be introduced to my second language at a very young age. I discovered that there were several factors that contributed to the level of effectiveness of learning the second language back then. Firstly, the school uses English as the medium of conversation at school since it is a Convent school. Secondly, the students consist of students of different racial background which means that their first language might not be English in the first place. However, some of the drawbacks would be the use of colloquial words due to the existence of well-known Manglish, and the lack of self-determination to use the language with friends. Been there, done that. That's why it's easy for me to understand the situation that a learner is facing because what else is there to judge. Right?
In my views, having a strong intrinsic motivation to learn the language is crucial because one needs to always find ways to develop his or her English vocabulary, practise correct pronunciation, listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. So here we go. These are the elements that we need to instill in ourselves in order to become a good language learner.
1. Intrinsic Motivation - We are our own master so do it for your own sake! Extrinsic motivation is essential as well because it can eventually lead to having intrinsic motivation if it's done step at a time.
2. Be more resourceful - Find ways to improve ourselves. This is not the time to be shy. Use the internet (an awesome tool!), find a language partner or group members (for academic purpose only), etc. In one simple sentence - Use the language.
3. Reading aloud - I used to spend more than three hours reading English newspapers during weekends when I was still at school. Find a place that is conducive and not noisy, where we can listen to ourselves exaggerating the sentences proudly, like a native speaker :-) Hehe. Hey! I'm serious about it! In this way, we can practise the correct word pronunciation, stress pattern, tone and intonation (high/low), and improve our vocabulary. However it's up to you whether you want to change your accent totally or not because it involves the issue of our identity. For me, as long as the pronunciation is clear, then we're alright.
4. Our new life partner is our handsome and "delicious" Dictionary - As for me, I started using a Junior Chamber dictionary and gradually I am now comfortable with my Advanced Learners dictionary a.k.a life partner. I started my quest to discover the use of phonetics and phonology seriously a few years ago. I think that everyone should be taught on how to read the phonetic symbols and how to utter the correct pronunciation of the words that they found in the dictionary. This is the moment when you wished that a dictionary could talk. Now that's going to be "effing kowai"! *Mind the phrase, please*
5. Vocabulary - Learn new words everyday. I have my own Vocabulary club which consist of lucky members who happen to be my own students! I'm dragging them into this sweet situation so that we can help one another as mutual language mates. Thus, we will soon realise our strong desire to enhance our vocabulary knowledge. Just for this week, we have learnt 120 new words and I am trying to understand and remember them. I hope that they are doing the same. Up to this point of time, I am doing it intensively with my Semester Two students. I have started doing it with the rest of students of other courses. However, I have to be alert of certain aspects such as the students' level of proficiency. Moreover, the syllabus of the course needs to be adhered to as well.
I hope that these general tips help. Consequently, let's help us help ourselves to help others.
Smile!
Marni J.
July, 27
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Comments
I go along 100% with you when you say:
"having a strong intrinsic motivation to learn the language is crucial because one needs to always find ways to develop his or her English vocabulary, practise correct pronunciation, listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. So here we go. These are the elements that we need to instill in ourselves in order to become a good language learner"
And as a Teacher of English and Spanish, I can't help asking myself "how can I foster intrinsic motivation"? So, your blog's really inspiring in the way it triggers lots of questions which may help improve my teaching strategies.
I should say now, the most efficient way to foster my students' intrinsic motivation was developing my sensory acuity, being completely attentive to all the signals they gave me in the classroom, be it facial expressions, tone of voice, comments, movements. Discovering who my learners are and showing them how much I respect them is my first rule, for lack of a better word, to motivate my learners to feel motivated.
Thanks again for your invaluable thoughts and tips!
www.teachingenglish.org.uk/blogs/georginahudson