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Verb Tenses

Verb tenses final project from Mitglenn

Sociocultural Factors- Outsourced

Sociocultural factors from Mitzy

The Beauty of the Language: Learning and Teaching

The Beauty of the Language: Learning and Teaching

by Mitzy Glenn 

An everlasting discussion related to language is not only how to define it, but also how we can teach it or learn it. Can you learn a second language on your own (without any teacher or instructor’s guide)? In that case, what is the real importance of the teacher role? These and other types of questions are given in this work with the intention of encouraging the analysis of the relevance of the factors intervening in learning and teaching a language. First and foremost the teacher role is considered one of the most important factors related to effectively learn a second language. In formal settings, teachers are in charge of “coaching” their students about the most important aspects of the second language and how to apply them in real life. 

However, what is the level of preparation that teachers must have in order to effectively teach a second language? What type of methodology is the most effective one to teach a second language? Well, let us start by answering to those two questions; in the first one, the points of analysis are the training, the preparation and the knowledge teachers must have to properly and acutely prepare their students to acquire a second language.  Nevertheless, these points are continuously surrounded by changing aspects and their hierarchy is constantly changing too. For instance, the knowledge of cognitive processes associated to acquiring a second language is for some experts one of the most important aspects teachers must distinguish in order to teach any language. For others, the most important aspect is to domain the field of sociolinguistics; others believe that phonetics is the key, and so on. This is just an example that shows the difficulties teachers must face when deciding what aspects are more relevant for them to choose and include in their formal preparation.

 Now, concerning the methodology in the classroom, the most important aspect is to take into account the different variables intervening in the learning process; specially the students and their characteristics! - Their previous preparation, educational background, physical and mental abilities and disabilities, etc. Additionally, the context plays a key role when incorporating any activity into the classroom. In any teacher’s agenda, the awareness of both students’ characteristics and context of the teaching environment is essential in the integration of any methodology.

  

Language, Learning and Teaching

Language Learning vs. Language Acquisition

by Mitzy Glenn 

       In terms of languages, one of the most important questions asked is… what is the best way to learn a new language? Here, the key aspect is the word learn; since when we learn something, anything, we are conscious about that process. 

We are pre disposed to gain the new knowledge. We ask someone to teach us or go to a specific place to learn (e.g. High school) or we can even go by ourselves and try to look for the information, the instructions, the definitions, etc.  The entire process of learning a new language goes hand to hand with grammar, patterns, memorization, vocabulary, pronunciation, phonetics, etc. Additionally, most of the times when learning a new language there are theory/grammar lessons, exams, practices, quizzes, homework assignments, presentations, etc.

                Nonetheless, what happens if we change the question to what is the best way to acquire a new language? As you noticed, now we have a different word acquire. However, what is the difference? Well, at this point is better to remember that we are focused on languages and not the definitions of learn and acquire in isolation. 

In order to answer to that question now we need to talk about language acquisition. Language acquisition implies an unconscious process, as the one you experienced with your native language when you are a child. Do you remember your parents sitting with you explaining to you “the rules of your native language”? You probably do not. Almost certainly, you acquired your native language by listening to your family members, friends, TV, etc; by pointing out something and asking its name, or simply by your parents’ corrections when you said something incorrectly.  The whole process is natural, not constructed; it is simply the way your family/ friends and you communicate with each other.

       With all that being said, I do believe that communicating effectively is the main purpose of incorporating a new language.  To put it briefly, it is not worth it to memorize and repeat as a parrot all the preconfigured scenarios on a book. The important thing is to know how to apply your knowledge to the real world scenarios, real world conversations and situations. 

The aim of most language learners is not to repeat what the book or rule says or to know how to complete a grammar test; on the contrary, the aim is to communicate without depending on a book or dictionary by their side! The purpose is to feel comfortable when communicating ideas. In this case, as English teachers, we need to recognize the important of real settings on our classrooms, class discussions, etc. so that students apply what they know and understand.