Teaching Language Most Effectively To Learners

Teaching Language Most Effectively To Learners

Contents

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 3

Structure ........................................................................................................................................................ 3

Coursework Approach .................................................................................................................................. 4

Methodology ................................................................................................................................................. 5

The Theoretical Approach to Learning Language .................................................................................... 5

The Child Learning Technique ................................................................................................................. 6

Core Skills and Language Learning Approaches .......................................................................................... 7

One to one class and conversation ............................................................................................................ 8

Use of Digital Communication to Boost Language Learning ................................................................... 8

Digital communication audio or video chat .......................................................................................... 9

Online Chat typing ................................................................................................................................ 9

Other Language Learning Considerations .................................................................................................. 10

Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................. 10

References ................................................................................................................................................... 11

Introduction

Learning language is a basic requirement for every person and as globalization grips larger

populations the requirement to learn international languages like English has become a necessity.

English is the most commonly used international language today but linguistics result in the

language being altered and changing from region to region. This high demand for the language

has resulted in numerous English learning courses being developed over the years but to secure

or adapt the right course the individual must be able to critique the course. English courses like

Speakout have grown in popularity over the years but it’s important to also closely analyse this

course to determine the best methods of learning. English has grown to be used as the primary

language for international business communication, high demand to learn the language has

developed in the past decade (Oxford 2003). For the purpose of this study the English course

Speakout shall be critiqued to determine the course approach both positive and negative. Every

course has the potential for improvement but these improvements can only be made when the

courses are analysed and information counterchecked. The Speakout course is made up of 12

courses broken in to digital format, text, audio and video which provide a clearer understanding

toward learning communicative English.

Structure

The Speakout English course book has been coauthored by Antonia Claire, Steve Oakes, Frances

Eales, and JJ Wilson and Pearson Longman offered the rights to publish the course book. The

book has been specially designed to follow the BBC Program which allows the Basic English

communication requirements to be address for common English communication and

understanding. The course has been broken down in to 12 courses catering for listening,

speaking, reading and writing and combined with audio, text and video o make learning easier

for the student. But while the book may be recommended by many it’s important to understand

the learner requires live guidance even while using the course book to ensure effective learning.

This raises the question linked to the sole effectiveness of the Speakout English course book and

how it can be utilized to deliver bigger benefits to the user.

Coursework Approach

The Speakout English course provides a vivid direction linked learning and it discusses different

theories linked to learning language. The Speakout English course book offers different theories

linked to learning a new language and each has a specific approach linked to learning which

makes it very important to understand the different theories before using the course book. The

first step linked to the understanding language theories involves understanding what learning

means and how people learn (Mitchell & Myles 2010). Speakout English course books explain

that each iindividual has a specific learning style and these styles will grow more focused as the

individual grows older. This basically means an individual learning ability will grow less over

time and this will lead to them responding more slowly towards learning than they would at a

younger age. For this reason children are much faster at learning language since their brain is

still developing and can absorb more information.

It’s also important to consider taking a non-technical approach to learning a language, which

have not all been discussed in the Speakout English course book which mainly concentrates on

theoretical learning approaches. Every educator will have their own theories and approaches

linked to learning and it’s critical that they perfect the required research and investigation to

develop a suitable teaching technique. The objective of any teaching theory must be to deliver

the basic communication skills to an individual and gradually build their confidence to improve

their confidence and their ability to speak the language.

Methodology

Learning a new language may sound easy but it is more difficult than once may pressure and

taking the wrong approach will defiantly lead to serious complications. There are serious

implications linked to taking the wrong approach and it’s important to make sure every tutor

understands the issue and makes the right approaches linked to the teaching process (Leedham

2012). According to the Speakout English course book two main language teaching processes

one which begins by offering theory for starters while the other which takes a child’s learning

process. Both are effective and each tutor will have their own approach linked to the educating

the individual thus it’s important to choose the right teach technique and also be able to able to

make suitable modifications linked to the learning process. The latter is promoted in the English

learning guide as it allows the individual to take time to adjust and gradually enter the learning

process as they build confidence.

The Theoretical Approach to Learning Language

The most practiced techniques or approaches used to learning a language are theory approach

where the learner attempts to learn the theory perspective of a language. According to Speakout

English course book this involves the learning of alphabets, reading and writing before

attempting to learn and practice the practical requirements of any language which are listening,

understanding, analysing and speaking. This technique has been identified to be the most

commonly used by most language tutors and according to Speakout English course book this is

the wrong approach and greatly slows the learning process. In many situations the learner would

like to master listening and speaking for use on a daily basis but the theory approach guides the

individual to learning reading and writing. research done by Speakout authors shows that this

approach could be more harmful towards the learning process and this is clearly demonstrated

through comparing a native English speaker attempting to learn Chinese’s. This puts in to clear

perception the difficulty one faces understanding the different language writing thus slowing the

learning process considerably

The Child Learning Technique

The second approach linked to learning a language is the child learning technique or practical

communication technique also knows on the Speakout English course book as CLT

(communications Language Teaching). This strategy takes in to consideration and follows the

same ESL process similar to how a baby would learn a new language. The ESL/ CTL or child

learning process involves exposing the individual to language class and providing them the time

required to adjust without pressured involvement. This mimics the same process a child learn

through while an baby where they first take a few months to tune in to the language and begin

picking words. Due to the individual being an adult their learning would be much faster since

they can note words and ask regarding their meaning but must never be forced or pushed in to

answering in class (Pinker 1994). They must gain confidence on their own and gradually would

begin speaking.

Classes also require being interactive and remaining to the basic or linked to each individuals

interests, a friendly conversation approach helps relax the individual and build their confidence

to begin speaking. Following the Speakout English course book results in the individual begin

able to participating conversation and speech using short sentences and word combinations, this

is a sensitive time and strict instruction must be issues to all students to avoid commenting or

laughing at ones mistakes as it would break their confidence. Any individual who is observed to

make fun of, giggle or laugh at mistakes must be removed from the class with immediate effect.

Every student must be supportive of the other and assist them building their confidence but never

mock the weaker individual.

According the Speakout English course book the ESL/ CTL learning technique will usually

follow the listening, speaking, and reading than writing process thus making it easier for the

learner to understand where and when the alphabets and words require to be used. This is the

same approach followed by all children and has been noted to be the most effective at teaching

individuals a new language since it begins by offering them the basics and gradually building

their confidence to participating. It’s important to understand that even on this process the

individual learning the language must be willing to participate, failure of which this would result

in serious complications.

Core Skills and Language Learning Approaches

The results associated to learning a new language also greatly depends on the methods and tools

one uses to learn and practice the language. While there are many methods of learning most are

limited to listening to other individuals speaking of teaching but do not offer a direct interaction

between the learner and the tutor (Chapelle 2004). It’s important to build a relationship where the

learner builds confidence to communicate which the tutor or trainer as this would allow them to

interact and offers two way communications allowing for errors to be corrected instantly. With

this in mind the Speakout English course book comes with text, audio, listening and speaking

exercises to assist the learner understand the requires learning patterns and approaches. Having

digital content allows the individual to repeat the exercises every now and then resulting in them

being able to improve their understanding and interactions.

One to one class and conversation

Speakout English course book highly promotes 2 way communications where the learner is

introduced and kept in an atmosphere where the language is constantly being spoken. This

strategy results in them gradually learning picking up words which they use and interlink to

sentences and building their confidence to speak. While it may take longer, the individual is

more likely to learn the language more fluently since they are in constant communication with

native speaker. These forces the individual to adapt to the situation to communicate and their

confidence is gradually built since they must communicate to get basic amenities and explain

their requirements. In most situations the individual will begin learning a few basic words for

daily use and build on those to make sentences before making full conversation. This strategy

may never promote learning to read or write since the individual has not exposure to the

theoretical part of the learning. Once the individual has learned to listen and speak the Speakout

English course book advises to gradually move reading and writing which is a much longer

process than that is of learning through listening.

Use of Digital Communication to Boost Language Learning

Digital communication has been identified to be an effective learning tool in the Speakout

English course book. This is due to more people developing a close interest linked to using

digital communication as their primary mode of communication due to its convenience thus

increasing the learners’ exposure to a new language if they have the field’s links to their account.

This automatically promotes communication which results in boosting the learning speed and

approach. Speak out English course book promotes several different digital communication

medium as discussed below

Digital communication audio or video chat

Digital technology has resulted in offering people instant 2 way communication which allows

them to communicate via audio or video chat. This has allows the individual to learn and practice

listening and speaking where the tutor would help correct their mistakes instantly thus acting like

a true class. Virtual learning of language has grown in popularity in recent years since the learner

is capable of selecting specific tutors they feel most comfortable with which results in them

learning easier. Online communication has allowed for people to performs communication and

learn from tutors across the globe via video and voice chat which has helped improve learning

experiences and speed.

Online Chat typing

Video and audio communication has been identified to be the most important and effective

technique to learning a new language, it’s also possible to attempt type chatting. This option

allows the student or learner to type replies to questions asked by the tutor and also a strategy

used promoted by the Speakout English course book. Online chatting limits communication and

these results in less efficiency since the individual is unable to communicate fast and errors

cannot be rectified on time resulting is very slow progress with learning. Every language also

requires effective communication to be developed which is the basic requirement for every

language. It’s vital to make sure the individual communicates with people since listening and

responding via speech are the basic forms of every communication and failing to speak would

result in failure to learn the language.

Other Language Learning Considerations

Another important aspect linked to learning based on the Speakout English course book is

managing the language classes appropriately. It’s important to break apart classes and group

students according to their command over the language (Jernudd 2010). This helps reduce the

strain on the weaker individuals who may feel inferior to the learners with higher command

which could lead to discouraging them from learning.

Speakout English course book advises on keeping class small and breaking classes in to small

groups so as to deliver personal attention towards their learning. This helps build a connection

between the student and tutor thus improving their language considerably. This has made is

important for the tutors to consider different approaches linked to teaching language where they

can communicate more and allow the students to build communication confidence before

beginning the theory learning. As more individuals from densely populated nations like India,

china and Russia seek language classes to assist with business communication, it has become

vital to offer effective learning strategies to help improve the learning process.

Conclusion

Language is a basic requirement in every community but as globalization takes a grip on

business it has become very important for people to learn English to communicate. English is

currently the most common international language but language learning is not limited to English

since there are several major economies that are attractive investors who also require learning the

local languages and dialect. While the Speakout English course book is mainly focused on

learning English, the strategies used can also be adopted to teaching other foreign languages.

References

Babcock, R.D. & Du-Babcock, B., 2001. Language-Based Communication Zones in

International Business Communication. Journal of Business Communication, 38(4), pp.

372–412.

Chapelle, C.A., 2004. Technology and second language learning: Expanding methods and

agendas. System, 32(4 SPEC.ISS.), pp. 593–601.

Jernudd, B., 2010. Language management. Current Issues in Language Planning, 11(1), pp. 83–

89.

Leedham, M., 2012. New Trends in Corpora and Language Learning. System, 40(1), pp. 162–

165.

Mitchell, R. & Myles, F., 2010. Second language learning theories,

Oxford, R.L., 2003. Language Learning Styles and Strategies : an Overview. Learning, pp. 1–25.

Pinker, S., 1994. The Language Instinct: The New Science of Language and Mind,