Can You Learn Language in Class? I

LanguageClassIn case the Moodle download is not working, here is the PDF for my lecture on learning language in class.

We can acquire a second language without going to class, so do language classes actually help us acquire language? We can research the “open systems” of language classes, but this research is complicated by many variables. Research shows that traditional “accuracy” approaches don’t always produce fluency and accuracy that they aim for. But communicative approaches do help learners improve, and learners enjoy them more.

Improving Language Teaching (Part 2)

talk2In case the Moodle download is not working, here is the PDF for my lecture on Improving Language Teaching.

Even with language focused lessons, we can (1) begin with a meaningful event or stimulus, and (2) we can keep lessons focused on meaning by knowing the traits or principles of communicative activities and (3) the four faces of communicative competence. (4) By knowing these things, we can take dull language-focused lessons and make them more meaningful and communicative.

Improving Language Teaching (Part 1)

LectureIn case the Moodle download is not working, here is the PDF for my lecture on Improving Language Teaching.

Summary. To promote meaningful language learning, we can (1) encourage natural interactions that focus on real messages; we can (2) create real life situations that require meaningful communication, (i.e., communicative language learning); we can (3) observe these interactions and situations in order to increase meaningfulness, and we can (4) understand the nature of mistakes and feedback in order to improve meaningful communication.

Language of Learners (Part 2)

LanguageOfLearnersIn case the Moodle download is not working, here is the PDF for my lecture Language of Learners (Part 2).

Summary: For making good sense, we need words. But as the previous quotes and anecdotes show, we also need more than words. We need to make good sociolinguistic and pragmatic sense. We need to make good phonological sense, and we need to to make good lexical and grammatical sense.

 

The Benefits of Extensive Reading

TheBenefitsOfERWhat is the most important improvement a language teacher can make? According to Paul Nation, it’s “Adding an extensive reading program to a language course.”

But what are the benefits of extensive reading, and why should we practice it? In this workshop at JALT National (11/23/2015), we gave a core definition and summarized 9 benefits of ER.

First, we stated that ER is a reading BEE (a meeting for communal enjoyment). Readers commune with authors, story characters, and other readers. BEE stands for the idea that ER is Big, Easy, and Enjoyable.

Next, we stated the benefits of ER, saying that “ER makes MASTERFUL English.” Each letter in MASTERFUL summarizes one of the 9 benefits of ER.

  • Motivation: ER motivates reading and learning.
  • Attitude: ER improves attitudes.
  • Syntax: ER develops learner syntax and grammar.
  • Thinking: ER improves thinking, that is writing.
  • Ears: ER benefits listening skills.
  • Riches: ER enriches physical, emotional, and intellectual life.
  • Fluency: ER increases reading automaticity and fluency.
  • Uber-text: ER employs the supreme form of content, namely stories.
  • Lexis: ER improves vocabulary and word knowledge.

Click here or on the image for a PDF of the talk.