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The CertTESOL course is an intense and rewarding learning experience leading to an international qualification. You may still be thinking about whether to follow a Trinity course or you may have already registered for a particular course. In either case, it will be useful to you to have some more information about the work involved. We recommend that you also obtain a copy of the Trinity summary or course content document (available as hard copy or on the Trinity website). This Study Resource will focus on the learner and introduce you to the Unknown Language component of a course. Introduction to the Unknown Language component and assignment Some contrastive features Reflecting on previous teaching, learning and approaches Learning styles, affective factors and motivation
What grammar, vocabulary and functions to you think will be taught in your UL classes?
Were they enthusiastic, encouraging, lively, approachable, positive, flexible, friendly, firm, well prepared, knowledgeable? Did their eye contact include everyone for questioning, holding attention, retrieving attention, encouraging contribution, checking understanding? Did their voices include a good range, variety, projection, and clarity? Were they well matched to their learners? Did they talk too much, or not enough? Did they tell you the information or elicit it from you? Did you have a chance to discover meanings, patterns and rules? Were there plenty of opportunities for the learners to use the language in real communication? Did they use gestures and facial expressions to convey meaning? Were their instructions simple, clear and checked? Was their error correction encouraging, helping students to correct themselves and each other? How were the learners seated in a horseshoe, in groups, in pairs or in rows? Did you get to work with different partners? How did this affect the interaction between teacher and learners and between learners and learners? Was the teachers board work organized logically organized for different purposes and varied? Did they use a variety of aids: OHP, pictures, video, recordings, realia?
In the Journal you will describe descr ibe and reflect on:
Methods and techniques used by the teacher to achieve the objectives Use of materials e.g. worksheets, recordings, pictures, realia Interactive patterns e.g. pair / group work Class management e.g. instructions, correction, encouragement
The Direct Approach This approach tried to involve more use of the language. Lessons were based around a dialogue, and actions and pictures were used to clarify meaning. Exercises consist of questions and answers based on the dialogue. Grammar is taught inductively, so that learners are encouraged to discover it for themselves through understanding of meaning.
The AudioAudio - Lingual Method The learners are expected to use target language automatically by forming new habits. Vocabulary and structures are presented in dialogues based on structures, and these are learned through repetition and memorization. Accurate language is emphasized. Language labs and visual aids are used extensively. Communicative Language Teaching In CLT, the aim is for students to become communicatively competent. In non-scripted, real-life situations, speakers choose what to say and how to say it, usually interacting in small groups. The belief is that the target language will be learned best through the process of struggling to communicate. Errors are natural and seen as essential for the learning process.
LEARNING STYLES
We all have various approaches or ways of learning (and teaching). This means we learn better from certain activities or materials, and also enjoy them more or less.
AFFECTIVE FACTORS
Affective factors are emotional factors which influence learning in either a positive or in a negative way. A learner's attitude to the unknown language, to the teacher, to other learners in the group and to him or herself all have impact on how well he / she learns. Negative affective factors are called affective filters. If a learner has a high filter they are less likely to engage in language learning because of shyness, anxiety, boredom etc. Learners feel anxious in the classroom for many reasons. They may worry about the embarrassment of not knowing the answer to the teachers question, or they might be anxious about being asked to perform an action or an oral task in front of the class.
By imaging the worst, based on past learning experiences, I was creating obstacles to learning even before the first lesson. Activating the target language through drilling in pair and group work was, for me, a comfortable way to work through errors and overcome a fear of failure.
CertTESOL trainee, February 2009
Some positive factors may be: Positive attitude to having a go and making mistakes A sense of success and achievement A genuine interest in the language and the country An outgoing personality and willingness to interact A positive atmosphere and encouragement
Some say that affective factors are as important for successful language learning, if not more so, than the ability to learn. Teachers can reduce negative factors and develop positive ones by creating a positive learning environment and by choosing activities that are interesting and engaging for the learners. I left each lesson with an elated sense of accomplishment and a keen desire to continue.
CertTESOL trainee, February 2009
MOTIVATION
Motivation is essential when it comes to learning a new language. Motivation can be either intrinsic, which means the learner wants to learn the language for some internal reward: because they want to become part of the L2-speaking community or are genuinely interested in the language. Extrinsic motivation refers to a desire to learn the language for an external reward, such as high grades, job opportunities or praise. The teachers ability to motivate learners is central to good teaching. Part of this involves developing a good teacher-student rapport, and behaving in an engaging and enthusiastic manner. It also means creating a relaxed and supportive classroom atmosphere in which students can take chances and feel that they do not risk being ridiculed.
How do you feel about the prospect of doing the UL classes and assignment? Are you interested / worried, excited?
I think it brought us all closer together, so that we are keen to help each other succeed on the course.
CertTESOL trainee, February 2009
What do you hope to learn from the unknown language classes about language teaching and learning?
While we all enjoyed the foreign language lessons on a personal level, the experience was clearly invaluable in terms of raising our awareness as teachers. What can be achieved in just four hours was amazing. But how and why that is achieved this experience has given me a very different perspective on the role of the teacher.
CertTESOL trainee, February 2009
We hope enjoyed
introduction to the Unknown Language component of the Trinity CertTESOL course. Thank you to Fusion Teaching (fusionteaching@yahoo.co.nz) for their work on this Trinity TESOL Study Resource no 2 (August 2009.)