Unit 19

UNIT 19 WORKSHEET 

Task 1 – List the different categories of beginner students, giving a brief explanation of each:

1)      The absolute beginner- students who do not know English at all

2)      The false beginner- students may have been exposed to English somehow but did not retain much

3)      The adult beginner- will be more motivated to learn since usually they make the conscientious decision to learn English

4)      The young beginner- often lack motivation and not there to learn by choice but tend to pick up the language easier than adult counterpart

5)      The beginner without Roman alphabet- students who need a lot of initial work on basic literacy skills. Focus on a lot of reading and writing practice

Task 2 – How would you as a teacher adapt your approach to beginner students?

            I would initially start at a slow, easy pace and then gradually progress faster and faster. I would probably have to repeat a lot of my instructions and sentences to make sure that they understand. For the activities, I would be more incline to have them work in pairs or groups since they can help each other and allow them to get to know their peers. The class dynamic would be better. Encouragement and praise are essential because they will the most reluctant to speak English, so they rely on the teacher to increase their confidence in their English. Also, I would correct mistakes only when they impede the students’ understanding of the materials.

Task 3 – How can teaching individual students differ from teaching groups?

            Teaching individuals has many advantages that teaching groups do not have. The course can be tailored specifically towards the student’s needs and wants. The teacher moves at the student’s pace and be flexible in the schedule of when they meet. There are no mixed levels and the teacher can focus on one student, creating a close relationship. The student is usually more motivated and feels the need to pay attention. Needs can be clearly defined and it’s easier to build a rapport with the student.

            However, there is a loss of classroom dynamic and students can not interact with their peers. The only communication is between the teacher and pupil. The teacher tends to be more tired since they have to always to be attentive to the pupil. Some activities can not be done, and any pair work must be done with the teacher. It is less formal, which leads to students feeling more comfortable to cancel their lessons. Also the students go through the material quicker; therefore, the teacher may have to create more materials than he/she normally do.

Task 4 – What information would you want to obtain in a needs analysis for a group of Business English students you will be teaching in their office? How could you use this information when planning the program?

            I would want to know a rudimentary understanding of their job and their past experience with English. I would like to know why they want to learn English and the purpose of what they hope to be able to do after learning. I would like to know their language level and how they use English in their company.

            I would then use this information make my plans. I could do the appropriate role-play that they would need to imitate later in their career. I would know what to focus on and the clients’ strengths and weaknesses. It will determine which materials and language point I would teach. Also, I can know which clients to pair up and the pace I would go.

Task 5 – How does the teaching of young learners differ from the teaching of adults?

            Young learners are inquisitive by nature, which is in itself a motivator. However, their innate curiosity and high energy levels cause them to have a shorter attention span than adult learners. This can lead to disruptive behavior unless the students are entertained and interacting. This can be done so by frequently changing the activities that stimulate their curiosity. They require more varied and engaging activities. The teacher plays an even more essential role to the young learner than the adult counterpart. Young learners will often seek the approval and attention from the teacher and wants the teacher to acknowledge what they are doing. Children will look to the teacher for guidance and is probably the only motivational factor they have.

Task 6 – Imagine you are going to teach a class of 7-year-olds. The objective is that the learners use basic food vocabulary in English by identifying different foods and expressing their likes and dislikes.

Plan a 30 minute ESA lesson using the standard lesson plan form.

Task 7 – Would you prefer to teach a monolingual or multilingual class?  Give reasons for your choice.

            I would prefer to teach a monolingual class because students can help one another if they all speak the same language. More than likely, students from different culture tend to be shy with foreigners. At least, if all the students are from the same country, students can relate to one another. Also, since they are from the similar cultures, it is easier to find topics that can appeal to a majority of your students. Since the students all speak the same language, it is highly likely that they will encounter the same problems with English.