Speak up Hints for teachers
Don’t worry about mistakes Tips for learning a foreign language
Research discoveries
Communication is what really matters.
This month support your National Football Team
June 2010 Issue 1
Index
Hints for teachers
2
Don’t worry about mistakes
4
Tips for learning a foreign language
5
Research discoveries
6
Communication is what really matters
7
This month support your National Football Team
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Editor: Mayra Buenahora Design: Mayra Buenahora
Information Technology Midterm Test (I.F.D. Carmelo, Uruguay) 1
FIRST OF ALL IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO SET THE CLASSROOM RULES CLEARLY FROM THE VERY BEGINNING
THIS WILL HELP TO AVOID FUTURE INCONVENIENTS IN THE CLASS
2
IT IS GOOD TO GIVE STUDENTS THE OPORTUNITY TO LEAD THE CLASS
MORE STUDENT CENTERED CLASSES AND LESS TEACHER CENTERED CLASSES
3
Don’t worry about mistakes You are going to make mistakes because you are in a learning process Go step by step Accuracy takes time
It is natural to feel uncomfortable in a language class. In a language course, however, it is the mode of communication itself that is the focus of instruction. For this reason, a language course is different than most other courses you will ever take. Not understanding and making mistakes -- things that are negative learning indicators in other courses -- are a very natural part of the language learning process. Accept the fact that you will not understand everything. In fact, at the very beginning, you will not understand much at all.
Remember that during the initial period of adaptation your ear and your mind are adjusting to the sounds and the rhythm of the language. Though you will not understand all of what is being said, you will be amazed at your increasing ability to make sense of the language.
Remember that the only way to learn the language is through practice, practice, and more practice; in the course of practicing you will make many errors ‌ and you will learn from them.
4
Tips for learning a foreign language Why good pronunciation is important Learning how to pronounce a foreign language like a native speaker is difficult but not impossible. The better your pronunciation, the better people will understand you and the easier you will find it to understand them. Tuning your ears and practising listening comprehension Before you start trying to speak a foreign language, spend some time tuning your ears to its sounds and rhythms. You can do this by listening to the language as much as possible via the radio, TV, movies and native speakers in your neighbourhood. There are online radio stations in a wide variety of languages. When you first try listening to your chosen language, you'll understand only a little or nothing at all, other than perhaps the names of people and places and the odd word, unless you're learning a language closely related to your L1. You may even find it difficult to believe that what you're listening to is a real language that people are able to converse in. However if you continue to listen to your L2 as much as possible, you will gradually become familiar with the sounds and rhythms of the language and start to be able to pick out words and phrases. Eventually you'll be able to understand most if not all of what you hear in your L2. Listening to songs in your L2 is another way to improve your listening comprehension, especially if you have the lyrics written out so that you can follow them as you listen.
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RESEARCH DISCOVERIES Research shows that language students learn more effectively and retain more when they study frequently and for shorter periods of time than if they study infrequently for extended periods of time.
Try to study each day, and whenever possible, several times a day. This means, for instance, doing a few homework exercises each day rather than doing all homework assignments the night before they are due. In addition, there are many otherwise mentally "idle" moments during the day when you can work in some studying.
For example, you can review vocabulary while eating breakfast, recite the alphabet while showering, count your steps as you walk between classes, name as many object as you can in the target language on your way school, take your vocabulary flash cards with you on a road trip.
There are many moments during the day when you can squeeze in a few minutes of practice time. Through the repetition of material, it will become increasingly familiar, until it eventually becomes an automatic part of your language repertoire.
6
COMMUNICATION IS WHAT REALLY MATTERS Learning another language gives the learner the ability to step inside the mind and context of that other culture. Without the ability to communicate and understand a culture on its own terms, true access to that culture is barred. Vocabulary is the most essential element of communication. The more words you know, the more you can say and understand.
If you're a first-time language learner, you know that emotional ups and downs come with the territory. When you understand a concept or begin to comprehend the language, you may experience feelings of exhilaration. However, these are often followed by moments of frustration and discouragement, during which you might feel as if you will never master the concepts and attain the ability to understand and communicate effectively.
SPEAKING SKILLS TIPS: 1. Study out loud! Mimic the sounds of the language. Don't mumble. Although most people feel embarrassed making strange sounds, the language will soon feel more familiar to you. 2. When called on in class, say something, even if it's wrong: you'll learn from it. If you need a moment to think, repeat the question. If you don't know the answer, say in your foreign language, "I don't know" or "help!" 3. Practice with a foreign student who wants your help to learn English or with another class member.
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THIS MONTH SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM
URUGUAY CAMPEÓN DEL MUNDO 2010 8