Summary Methods

The Audiolingual Method

After World War II, USA raised an interest in the need for Americans to be skilled in their allies and enemies languages. Therefore, the U.S. military came up with intensive language courses that emphasized the oral part known as the Audiolingual Method. This method gave importance to pronunciation, conversation, mimicry, and memorization of phases, dialogues. There was no grammar, use of mother tongue, or translation.

Community Language Method

This method is affectively based. Learners are seen as a group that interacts facilitating learning in a context of valuing and cherishing each individual in the group. The aim is to decrease anxiety levels by means of a supportive community. The teacher is seen as a counsellor. Students sit in a circle and they are helped by the teacher in their interactions with the class; classes are recorded so students can evaluate their performances.

Suggestopedia

Learning takes place through a deep state of relaxation so maximum retention can be achieved. Music is key to this method. The teacher reads and students repeat and memorize.

 The Silent Way

This method emphasizes on the learners independence; they should discover or generate learning. Learning is achieved by the use of certain objects that are used as problem solving material. The role of the teacher is silent; the teacher should also keep corrective feedback to a minimum.

Total Physical Response

Method devised to decrease stress. It emphasizes listening, use of imperatives and commands. Students listen to instructions and respond in a physical manner.

The Natural Approach

It suggests production delay till students feels ready, comfortable, and have received an important amount of input by the teacher. This method seeks personal communication (everyday language).

The Humanistic Tradition

            It has been agreed that the affective and emotional factors involved in the learning process are key. In fact it is believed that if these affective factors are not achieved, there is no technique or model that would lead to learning. Two proponents in humanism in language learning Gattegno and Lozanov arrived to the conclusion that success or failure in language teaching depends on the extent one caters to the learner’s affective domain. Maybe the most significant characteristic is the learner’s emotional attitude towards the teacher, classmates, the language, and the culture. This should be taken into account when selecting contents, materials, and activities. Some extreme proponents say that it is impossible to teach anybody anything unless superficially and that what the teacher can do is to attempt to establish the optimal conditions where the learner will learn because of his own efforts. According to Stevick the functions of a teacher are:

1.     Students expect teachers to impart knowledge.

2.     Students expect teachers to manage; time, materials and techniques effectively.

3.     Teachers are expected to evidence the follow up of the objectives set in the syllabus through the course.

4.     Teachers are expected to set a certain atmosphere where students can learn adequately.

5.     Teachers are expected to feel passionate about their job and irradiate warmth towards students.

Community Language Learning

 Teachers must ensure that students feel free from the anxiety of learning in another language and also comfortable with the environment.

The objective of the CLL is to create a supporting environment and move from dependence on the teachers towards autonomy.

The Silent Way

For Gattegno, the author of the silent way, learning languages is a mystery and that students should be more independant in their learning process.

Grammar or a vast vocabulary is not enough to communicate, it is also necessary to sort of being soaked in the language and culture.

Suggestopedia

Lozonov, who developed this model, believes that if learning takes place in favourable conditions, the mind is capable of great achievements.

Language skills

In my opinion I think I'm good at writing, probably because I enjoy it a lot and because it is more conscious than speaking. When I speak I need to come up with the exact words right away, and sometimes it does not happen so I get nervous and it is all a mess. When it comes to reading, I think it depends whether it is something I like or not, if I'm interested I'm fast and motivated, if not, I never finish and never get it. In terms of listening, I think I'm ok, but I think I need to improve, specially when it comes to listening to native speakers speaking, since I´m not used to, sometimes I find it hard to follow. As a conclusion that learning languages is a never ending process where input is constantly needed. Equally important is the constant practice of the four skills beyond the classroom.

My Experience with English...

Learning English for me was not easy. I started learning English in first grade but  I moved to a new school then, and then again 15 other times!!! Crazy, right? I went to public schools, private schools, and subsidized schools. So my English really didn't improve throughout school life, I would say it remained at the same level. Then when I got to university I thought at first it wouldn't be such a big deal since we are surrounded by English vocabulary, so I felt quite close to the language but... Once I got there(UMCE) I realised that in spite of being at a place where most of the students would come from public education, many already knew a lot. So it was a rough start. It was very hard because from day one we were supposed to read books and have conversations but I never had to do that at school, I always had the verb to be and did and regulars and I was good at that, so I didn't think studying English would be that difficult, I assumed we would start from there but no.Speaking a new language does not happen fast, especially if you live in a place where English is not the native language. On the other hand, reading books, especially English literature such as; Jane Austin without even knowing the basics, is just excruciating. In order to succeed I became a very autonomous learner, I photocopied hundreds of grammar exercises and I started listening a lot of English, particularly films and songs. Although I don't think listening or grammar are my strenghts, I think my self motivation is. In terms of weaknesses, I would say I'm not a very good reader or listener, mainly because it is difficult for me to focus or pay attention to things I'm not really into. Anyway I'm extremely proud of my accomplishments and I'm looking foward to improving much more :)

testing only...

First day blogging!!

I hope I learn how to use this!