An in situ or "on location" approach to language learning is presented for people going abroad for an extended period of time. The approach features two components: (1) the use of a mentor (native speaker who lives in the community and serves as a guide); and (2) the "daily learning cycle" of planning, practicing, communicating face-to-face, and evaluating. This approach gives the traveler responsibility for learning in real interaction situations with immediate feedback. Examples of topics covered include: benchmarks for evaluation; selection, communication with, and compensation for a mentor; hints for increasing interaction opportunities; language structures, nuance, and word clusters; cultural appropriateness; and getting a head start at home. Six detailed lesson plans are included for dining out, transportation, shopping, currency, medical needs, and figuring out meanings of unfamiliar words. Contains 49 references. (LB)
This publication provides essential reading for any language teacher. Pupil engagement in the language-learning process is key to success, and with this in mind the authors provide a comprehensive list of ideas as well as explaining the underlying principles of successful language-learning. Neil Jones, Assistant Headteacher Learning a language, especially in a class or group, is an intensely practical subject. Active participation by students is the key to successful language learning at any age or ability level. This book offers teachers a multitude of practical activities in which students take the lead, and clearly links these to the various linguistic and pragmatic skills. The book provides clear and comprehensive guidance on the classroom environment, models of teaching and learning, and assessment. It aims to help teachers plan engaging lessons which will enable all students to develop the key skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing in the target language. Topics covered include: The essentials of language learning Use of the target language; training the ear and training the voice Exploiting audio and video recordings Exploiting texts and pictures Using stories and drama in the classroom, and independent reading Making good use of written work Integrating multimedia resources and the Internet across the language skills Integrating grammar into communication Teaching and Learning Languages has been written in line with national and European language policies, reflecting contemporary trends in the teaching and learning of languages. The text’s focus on active learning and its indispensable guidance for planning lessons make it essential reading for all trainee and practising teachers.
- How do I plan a lesson? - How will I know if my students are learning? - How do I teach language while also teaching content material? - How do I effectively use technology in language teaching? - How can I ensure the academic success of my students? - How can I help my students have more contact with the new language? These are the practical questions language and mainstream teachers struggle with as they enter today’s diverse classrooms in an era when they must focus not only on their everyday teaching, but also on students’ second language development. The answers to these questions and more are here, in this much-needed, comprehensive, practical guide to language teaching in second foreign, and content-based settings. In a warm, supportive tone, respected author and experienced language teacher Elaine K. Horwitz clearly explains the fundamental concepts of second language acquisition and language teaching, using actual classroom situations that help students learn to make instructional decisions in their own future teaching settings. Unique among other methods texts that emphasize language for communication purposes only, Becoming a Language Teacher also focuses on language for academic needs, while addressing the latest trends in language teaching as well as effective approaches for teaching language in content classes. The perfect choice for ESL and Foreign Language methods courses, this guide helps teachers develop a personal approach to language teaching, suited to their own unique teaching situations. Major additions to the text are related to socio-cultural approaches to second language acquisition and teaching. The Second Edition also includes: - Expanded coverage of language development and content teaching - Coverage of The Output Hypothesis, Sociocultural Theories of SLA, the SIOP Method and the CALLA Approach - Publication of the long-awaited revision of the Beliefs about Language Learning Inventory, BALLI - An Assessment for Learning approach to student testing added to Chapter 8 - Suggestions for using new technologies and digital media incorporated throughout - Added explanations of Emergent Bilingual, Heritage Learners, Dual Language programs, World Languages, Sheltered English, Newcomer Centers, Self-Access Language Learning Centers, Willingness to Communicate, and Language Learner Autonomy
Affect in Foreign Language and Second Language Learning offers high school and college/university second language teachers, or teachers-in-training, practical suggestions for creating activities that take into account learner anxieties, frustrations or discomfort in the language learning process. The objective of the book is to offer concrete instructional approaches for language learning that are rooted in second language acquisition research and, at the same time, that promote a low-anxiety classroom environment. The authors of each chapter are specialists in specific areas of language learning and their essays, composed specifically for this volume, lay the groundwork for continued research on affect in language learning. This text is part of the McGraw-Hill Second Language Professional Series, edited by James F. Lee and Bill VanPatten.
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • For anyone who wants to learn a foreign language, this is the method that will finally make the words stick. “A brilliant and thoroughly modern guide to learning new languages.”—Gary Marcus, cognitive psychologist and author of the New York Times bestseller Guitar Zero At thirty years old, Gabriel Wyner speaks six languages fluently. He didn’t learn them in school—who does? Rather, he learned them in the past few years, working on his own and practicing on the subway, using simple techniques and free online resources—and here he wants to show others what he’s discovered. Starting with pronunciation, you’ll learn how to rewire your ears and turn foreign sounds into familiar sounds. You’ll retrain your tongue to produce those sounds accurately, using tricks from opera singers and actors. Next, you’ll begin to tackle words, and connect sounds and spellings to imagery rather than translations, which will enable you to think in a foreign language. And with the help of sophisticated spaced-repetition techniques, you’ll be able to memorize hundreds of words a month in minutes every day. This is brain hacking at its most exciting, taking what we know about neuroscience and linguistics and using it to create the most efficient and enjoyable way to learn a foreign language in the spare minutes of your day.
In the early-modern period, the English language was practically unknown outside of Britain and Ireland, so the English who wanted to travel and trade with the wider world had to become language-learners. John Gallagher explores who learned foreign languages in this period, how they did so, and what they did with the competence they acquired.
Language for Learning is a comprehensive oral language program that teaches essential concepts and skills that children need to succeed in school. The program provides carefully sequenced lessons to help students: Learn vocabulary commonly used by teachers, as well as by textbooks and other instructional material Develop precise knowledge of "little," but important, words such as first, next, between, who, what, and where Use different sentence forms, ask and answer questions, and follow instructions Acquire important background information and world-knowledge, such as days of the week, months, and seasons Figure out the logical aspects of language, such as classification and "if-then" reasoning Features: Thinking and Understanding are part of every lesson Carefully orchestrated lessons teach the language of classroom instruction Provides the building blocks for verbal and reading comprehension Opportunity for both group and individual practice of the content of the exercise Continuous integration and review of all the concepts and skills Original stories and poems to be read to the students Placement Test and 15 Program Assessments ensure that children are working on concepts appropriate for their ability
This book provides a unique set of tools designed to enhance an individual's success in communicati0n in a foreign language environment. The devices presented allow the speaker of a foreign language to demonstrate the level of his/her language more impressively. These techniques were developed and tested by the author with adult professionals in such varied fields as journalism, diplomacy, government, and international business.
Learning a language can be a daunting process. Should you self-study? Take a course? Buy a software program? Hire a private tutor? What kinds of learning systems are available and which might be right for you? How about the myriad online resources available? And, very importantly, where should you begin? Oh, by the way, how long will all this effort take anyway? You will find the answers to these questions in this short but thorough guide to learning a foreign language. Author Jeff Blum has taught English and studied four languages (Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese and Thai), but he still struggles just as anyone must when learning a language. Jeff did extensive research on all aspects of language learning in an effort to improve his own efforts and he has carefully curated that research into this guide to help you with your efforts as well. In the book you will find: 1. A look at the systems and techniques advocated by various language learning experts and sites. 2. A consideration of personal factors in learning a language (motivation, personality, goals, etc.). 3. A discussion of the 8 language learning blocks with recommended resources for tackling each. 4. An overview of the most popular language learning products on the market (Duolingo, Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur, etc.). 5. A comprehensive set of resources to aid you with whatever approach to study you pursue. Whether you are young or old, beginner or advanced, studying your first foreign language or your fifth, there is something for you in this book. If you are a language teacher, this book might help you better understand what your students are up against while giving you ideas and extra resources to aid your teaching efforts.
A comprehensive overview of research methods in second-language teaching and learning, from experts in the field. The Cambridge Guide to Research in Language Teaching and Learning covers 36 core areas of second-language research, organised into four main sections: Primary Considerations; Getting Ready; Doing the Research; Research Contexts. Presenting in-depth but easy to understand theoretical overviews, along with practical advice, the volume is aimed at 'students of research', including pre-service and in-service language teachers who are interested in research methods, as well as those studying research methods in Bachelor, MA, or PhD graduate programs around the world.
