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TEFL News
The growing importance of ESL
According to the ESL experts Schools and communities throughout
the world are facing increased linguistic and cultural
diversity. Every year, more and more students who speak
languages other than English and who come from homes and
communities with diverse histories, traditions, world views, and
educational experiences, populate classrooms in urban, suburban,
and rural settings. To realize their personal, social, and
long-term career goals, individuals will need to be able to
communicate with others skillfully, appropriately, and
effectively. The challenge of contemporary education is to
prepare all students for life in this new world, including those
learners who enter schools with a language other than English.
ESL is a course that is designed to teach English to individuals
whose native language is not English or who are not proficient
in this language or who cannot fluently speak, write, or read
English. People across the globe take ESL courses for a plethora
of reasons.
Sometimes the reason could be for the successful completion of
high school education or to enter a graduation course. In some
instances, it may be to join an occupational or a professional
course. Apart from these, people take this course to enhance
their career. In short, the primary purpose of an ESL course is
to make an individual proficient in the use of the English
language.
An English as a second language course is primarily designed
with a range of techniques and methodologies to develop
listening, speaking, reading, writing, and vocabulary skills
with regard to the English language. The topics covered in
English as a Second Language courses include grammar, use of
idioms and phrasal verbs, picture dictionaries, vocabulary,
spelling, and punctuation.
The most creative ways of teaching ESL
The English language is filled with passion and words used often
invoke our imaginations and hearts desires. Emily Dickenson,
Shakespeare and Ernest Hemmingway are just a few worthy of
mention here that have captured our imaginations over the years,
indeed centuries. (Courtesy http://www.suite101.com/ )
Here are some not-so-commonly-used techniques for adding that
“new twist” to your English or foreign language classes. Giving
learners something new does wonders in relieving boredom,
spiking interest and lowering the Affective Filter of learners
on whom you may have “tried everything”.
1. Using an iPod
Do you learners carry iPods or cellular phones? Don’t curse and
swear at them for using technology in their lives. Turn it to
your advantage! A number of good websites now exist that can get
you and your learners up and running using this latest new
technology for language learning and practice. Here are useful
website for more podcasting information:
• Podcasting: Audio on the Internet comes of age
http://www-writing.berkeley.edu/TESL-EJ/ej36/int.html
• Morning Stories
http://www.wgbh.org/schedules/program-info?program_id=143912
• Podcast Pickle
http://www.podcastpickle.com
• Internet TESL Journal
http://iteslj.org/links/ESL/Listening/Podcasts/
2. Let Mr. Bean Help You
You all know him and love his humorous twists on daily living.
So don’t just sit there nodding, grab a CD or VHS full of
episodes and try a few out on your learners. Let them do the
talking. They can offer suggestions, write to Mr. Bean and his
other characters, express opinions and do comparisons of his
world vs. their own. By the way, is he REALLY an alien? Follow
his antics, get video clips, program guides and more at:
•
http://www.rowanatkinson.org/mr_bean.htm
•
http://www.dsv.su.se/~mats-bjo/bean/bean.html
3. Ask Walt Disney for Advice
Although I’m old enough to remember his presence and passing,
Walt Disney can still make us laugh, smile, cry and cheer with
the antics of scores of his characters and their families. Take
some short “clips” from his animated stories. Change the
situation. Alter the characters. Modify an ending or a beginning
to cause a whole different outlook on age-old themes. Are your
stories and characters better? As long as they’re different,
stimulating and generate interest or discussion, that’s all that
matters. Everyone, even you, will have a great time coming up
with new twists on these classic themes. Try it!
Visit Disney online here:
•
http://disney.go.com/home/today/index.html
•
http://www.justdisney.com/walt_disney/
4. Letting Learners Create Lesson Materials
Turnabout is fair play, or so they say. Take a day to switch
roles. Have you ever let your learners write an exam? How about
planning a fun class? Having a “hot” conversation on a topic
that THEY want to talk about – music, movies, cute guys / gals,
techno-babble? Nothing is taboo – well almost nothing, anyway!
What do you think they’ll talk about? You’d be surprised!
5. Join the Club
Let’s all go to the Conversation Club. What you don’t have one?
Okay then, start one – every Thursday from 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm or
whatever time, day and duration may suit you and your learners.
The key is to give THEM the majority of control, or at least as
much as possible. Use props, use realia, use pictures, music or
whatever you and your learners may have on hand to start, stop
and sustain the activities. Other “clubs” you could join
include:
• Pronunciation clubs
• Reading clubs
• Movie clubs
• Acting Clubs
Article source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_M._Lynch
Using newer yet simpler methods in your ESL classroom can really
do wonders and helps
the learners to come out of the boredom of learning. Going by
the traditional ways learning may not always help in the
classroom, instead practical experiences may leave
an everlasting impact on your learners.
