Values
1. Speaking Proficiency will improve (including pronunciation)
2. Double investment (killing two birds with one stone)
3. Learners will learn English in L1 context
4. Subject knowledge will be more globally used
5. No more payment for extra lessons, no gap between the rich and the poor
6. Learners can learn English more competently and effectively since they are more used to speaking English in English-speaking environment. Affective filter can be lowered.
Content-based Instruction (CBI)
Pitfalls
1. Lack of understanding- learning failure
2. Not effective for all students (effective only for motivated students)
3. Not appropriate for all subjects (ex. Korean history)
4. Too costly and time-consuming
5. More private education
6. Not enough teachers who can teach their subject in English
Showing posts with label English teacher. Show all posts
Showing posts with label English teacher. Show all posts
27 May, 2009
English Immersion Program values
We think that the immersion program has more things positive than negative.
Because Korea don't have enough resources like oil, we need human resources in preparing for this globalized world. As we can see from the examples of India and Israel where they learn both their language and English together, these countries show outstanding achievements like Nobel Prizes. We need to be competent in communicating in English about a particular subject like physics or mathematics. Using English like this is advantageous in studying abroad later in the future. We do not think Immersion Program is good for kids in young age. We think in maybe middle or high school students who are already proficient in Korean skills. Also, first of all, the teachers should be good at English themselves because they should be able to teach their subject in English. If these are satisfied, then we think using English in other subjects is a good step toward a globalized society. When learn a language, it is better to not just sit in the classroom and learn, but to actually use it in other things. So this immersion program can help improve the students' English very fast and effectively.
Because Korea don't have enough resources like oil, we need human resources in preparing for this globalized world. As we can see from the examples of India and Israel where they learn both their language and English together, these countries show outstanding achievements like Nobel Prizes. We need to be competent in communicating in English about a particular subject like physics or mathematics. Using English like this is advantageous in studying abroad later in the future. We do not think Immersion Program is good for kids in young age. We think in maybe middle or high school students who are already proficient in Korean skills. Also, first of all, the teachers should be good at English themselves because they should be able to teach their subject in English. If these are satisfied, then we think using English in other subjects is a good step toward a globalized society. When learn a language, it is better to not just sit in the classroom and learn, but to actually use it in other things. So this immersion program can help improve the students' English very fast and effectively.
13 May, 2009
teaching English through English
I think "teaching English Through English" is necessary in public school English class. Before, English teachers in Korea did not pay attention to teaching the speaking part in English classes, but just paid attention on reading comprehension and what are going to appear on the exams. Today, however, many parents want their children to be both excellent in reading and writing and be fluent in speaking and listening. We live in a globalized world, we meet foreigners practically everyday especially at colleges, and we have more chance in communicating with them. In order to communicate with the foreigners, Koreans should not be afraid in talking with them casually. Most Koreans think speaking English is a hard task, but if we practice it everyday and get used to it, speaking would not be such a hard problem anymore. Therefore, "teaching English Through English" in public school English class is necessary. We learn our mother tongue first by listening, listening opens our mouth to speaking. If the teachers in public schools are fluent in English themselves, children would have much easier way in accessing a globalized world.
However, it is not necessary that all teachers in public school English class have to be native speakers of English. Of course, it would be beneficial to the students if the teachers are native speakers especially when it comes to pronunciation, and also because the native speakers have no problem speaking English thus no stress. But, today since the Teacher's Examination includes speaking English and in college, the professors view speaking as an important part of English Education, the graduate students of English Education are mostly fluent in speaking themselves and have no problem teaching English through English. It is just that it would be easier for the native speakers to prepare classes. Korean English teachers have more benefits in that they understand the students better since they used to be one of them sitting there, and that they can thus communicate better with the students.
I want to be a English teacher myself, so I try to think more about English education these days and the pros and the cons. I think in Korean English classes, students should be more involved in the classes, if the teacher speaks English only and let the students participate in activities, the students will get more interested in the language itself. People want to know more about something when they are interested in something. Letting students know that the college entrance exam is not the final goal of their life, but English has much more use later in life since it is becoming more like a huge globalized world today, and that it has potential, students will thrive to learn English. I think activities such as going outside to the playground or the park to write a poem in English about the nature, or writing English journal once a week, or having a discussion in English during classes will get away the stress students have about English and be interested in the class.
However, it is not necessary that all teachers in public school English class have to be native speakers of English. Of course, it would be beneficial to the students if the teachers are native speakers especially when it comes to pronunciation, and also because the native speakers have no problem speaking English thus no stress. But, today since the Teacher's Examination includes speaking English and in college, the professors view speaking as an important part of English Education, the graduate students of English Education are mostly fluent in speaking themselves and have no problem teaching English through English. It is just that it would be easier for the native speakers to prepare classes. Korean English teachers have more benefits in that they understand the students better since they used to be one of them sitting there, and that they can thus communicate better with the students.
I want to be a English teacher myself, so I try to think more about English education these days and the pros and the cons. I think in Korean English classes, students should be more involved in the classes, if the teacher speaks English only and let the students participate in activities, the students will get more interested in the language itself. People want to know more about something when they are interested in something. Letting students know that the college entrance exam is not the final goal of their life, but English has much more use later in life since it is becoming more like a huge globalized world today, and that it has potential, students will thrive to learn English. I think activities such as going outside to the playground or the park to write a poem in English about the nature, or writing English journal once a week, or having a discussion in English during classes will get away the stress students have about English and be interested in the class.
18 March, 2009
Myths in learning English
1. There is a fast and easy method in learning English.
2. Memorizing grammatical rules is necessary to speak English.
3. You can master English.
4. All Korean people should have Advanced English proficiency.
5. Everybody can learn English easily in English speaking countries.
6. There is one best method (secret method) to learn English very effectively.
2. Memorizing grammatical rules is necessary to speak English.
3. You can master English.
4. All Korean people should have Advanced English proficiency.
5. Everybody can learn English easily in English speaking countries.
6. There is one best method (secret method) to learn English very effectively.
A Myth in learning English
Fast improvement in a short period of time
For example, many hakwons have advertisements that says
"TOEIC 900 in 3 months"
and in the advertisements are students who have actually succeeded in scoring 900 in TOEIC, and they say how much they have improved in this hakwon.
However, these succeeded students are probably ones who have already skills and are better than most.
Also, students need motivation in learning a foreign language. Hakwons can help students to have interest in learning English, but if the students have no interest at all, then there is no help hakwon can do because hawons do not care if the students do not come to class (not strict like school).
11 March, 2009
Virtues of a Good Language Teacher
A good language teacher must respect the different language skills of each student.
Every one is different, especially when it comes to language.
Many Korean students have already gone abroad to study English, but some have not.
The English teachers in Korean schools must realize the vast differences in everyone's skills and respect every student.
Or else, some students will be bored by the easy course but some will have a difficult time in learning what some other students already know. The teacher should not use the cramming method of teaching but make the students do the work by themselves.
A good teacher must be respectable by the students in the future. Some of us have many teachers whom we will always remember and contact even after we graduate. However, some of us have no teachers that they respect or will remember in the future. A good teacher must be trustworthy, humble, just, and warm-hearted. The teacher should make the students feel comforted in his or her class.
A good language teacher must give interest to students about the language they are learning about. First of all, the teacher must like the language itself, and he or she should encourage the students to love the language also by doing fun projects or singing, etc.
A good language teacher should continue to study his or her major even after they become teachers. Language is easy to forget if we do not continue in the future. Language teachers should study more about that language often.
A good language teacher should be well-known about the foreign culture. Language is based on each country's culture, geology, and so on.
The Most Important Role of the English Teacher
One who truly respects his or her students
One who shares his or her life stories, how they had studied English and what was difficult for them
One who encourages his or her students even in times of difficulties
One who still continue to study his or her major
One who tries to understand his or her students
On who respects the differences of his or her students
One who shares his or her life stories, how they had studied English and what was difficult for them
One who encourages his or her students even in times of difficulties
One who still continue to study his or her major
One who tries to understand his or her students
On who respects the differences of his or her students
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