Role of the Learner
Author: Glemaud, Marie Michelle
Creation date: Wednesday, February 1, 2006 11:09:26 PM EST
Describe how the role of the learner of ESL has evolved in the language learning process.
During traditional education the learners of a second language were like receivers. They were more restricted compare to the modern world society that we are living. Nowadays students can make their voice heard in the classroom. They can provide their opinion to their teacher; they can have big debate about the topic in question and express themselves. They can share their idea with their peers by working together. In another word there is a great teacher-students and student-students interaction which facilitates learning to take place.
Multicultural Approaches
Author: Glemaud, Marie Michelle
Creation date: Thursday, February 2, 2006 7:41:42 PM EST
List the different Multicultural Approaches in language teaching.
Language and culture are intricately intertwined. Whenever we teach a language, we also teach a complex system of cultural customs, values, and ways of thinking, feeling, and acting.
Classroom applications can include the following:
- Discuss cross-cultural differences with you students, emphasizing that no culture is “better than other, but that cross-cultural understanding is an important facet of learning language.
- 2. Include techniques in which activities and materials can demonstrate the connection between language and culture.
- Teach Students the cultural connotations, especially the sociolinguistic aspects, of language
- Screen your techniques for material that may be culturally offensive
- Make explicit to your students what you may take for grated in you own culture.
Students can be affected by the process of acculturation, which will vary with the context and the goals of learning. In a case like this, teachers need to help student to be aware of acculturation and its stages. Stress the importance of the second language a powerful tool for adjustment in the new culture. Be especially sensitive to any students who appear to be discouraged, then do what you can to assist them. Most of the errors made by learners of a new language originate from their native language. They employ their native language to make interference in learning the new language.
Content Related Curricula
Author: Glemaud, Marie Michelle
Creation date: Wednesday, February 1, 2006 11:13:25 PM EST
Do you agree or disagree that ESOL students need to learn content related academics.
I don’t agree with this statement because student’s motivation style can increase by providing them activities that are related to daily life activity. If students are not interested in the subject matter they are not really learning. Without motivation from the part of the students learning is no happening.
Comment from teacher
Author: Gomez-Wilson, Isabel
Creation date: Saturday, February 11, 2006 3:26:15 PM EST
Content related academics are the academic subjects all students are taught. For example, all students need to learn math, science, social studies. In certain areas life related activities may be intergrated into the lesson plan, and of course the linguistic level of students learning English as a second language, always has to be taken into consideration when planning your lessons.
Four Language Skills
Author: Glemaud, Marie
Creation date: Wednesday, February 1, 2006 11:14:55 PM EST
List and describe the interrelationships of the four skills taught in Whole Language education.
Listening and Speaking Goal
These two issues are very important for students to acquire and to see how they improve to use the language.
Reading and writing
Reading and writing at the beginning level of a student learning a second language is brief and associated to real life material. Example can include advertisement, form note or letter. It is also important for the teacher to take into account the native language and literacy of the students.
The Present: An Informed "Approach"
Author: Glemaud, Marie
Creation date: Wednesday, February 1, 2006 11:19:03 PM EST
Describe the following methods:
Learner centered instruction: An instruction concentrated on the students’ needs, creativity, innovation and self Worth. Focus is on both students and instructor. Students interact with instructor and one another. Students work in pairs, in groups, or alone depending on the purpose of the activity. Students have some choice of topics
> Cooperative and collaborative learning: In cooperative learning students work together with their teachers to pursue goals and objectives. Students work together in small groups on a structured activity. They are individually accountable for their work, and the work of the group as a whole is also assessed. Cooperative groups work face-to-face and learn to work as a team. Collaborative learning in the other hand is a method of teaching and learning in which students team together to explore a significant question or create a meaningful project. In collaborative learning students work with others who can provide them with assistance and guidance.
> Interactive learning: Learning which involves interactions, either with other students, teachers, the environment, or the learning material. In this model the students work in group to practice different style of conversation associated to real world contexts to enhance their communication abilities.
>Whole language education: It is a perspective “anchored in a vision of an equitable, democratic, diverse society” (Edelsky 1993:548). The philosophy of whole language is based on the concept that students need to experience language as an integrated whole. It focuses on the need for an integrated approach to language instruction within a context that is meaningful to students (Goodman, 1986). The approach is consistent with integrated language and content instruction as both emphasize meaningful engagement and authentic language use, and both link oral and written language development.
> content-based instruction: In this approach also called integrated language and content instruction--ESL, bilingual, or foreign language teachers use instructional materials, learning tasks, and classroom techniques from academic content areas as the vehicle for developing language, content, cognitive, and study skills.
> Task-based instruction: It is a method that focuses on different tasks techniques such problem solving, role playing and many more. Instruction is based on the content learning of language or subject matter. In task-based instruction, students participate in communicative tasks in English and basic pair work and group work are often used to increase student interaction and collaboration.
