Learning a Foreign Language
Learning a foreign language can be very rewarding, if done effectively. I took French and Latin in school. French was awesome because we spoke it from day one, but Latin was all about memorization. The only reason, I bothered to memorize the words in Latin was because I had a crush on Mr. Kelly. Then school ended, but my love for languages continue. I decided to learn German, but couldn’t find a course that suited my learning style. The teachers only focused on grammar and again memorization.
Learning from Language Teachers
My negative experiences with Latin and positive experiences with French helped shape my teaching style. My teaching style coincided with my learning preference. I soon realized that the only way to learn a language was to speak it on the street, but can we turn the streets into classes? It seems that in some language learning programs, they do. The BBC does just that. You can learn street English on the BBC or learn English on the street at Real English with Michael Marzio. After over 30 years of teaching English as a foreign language is to focus on speaking and authenticity.
Authenticity in Language Learning
Teachers and students should collaborate in creating a real-to-life learning environment in and out of the foreign language program. In the past only teachers did it, but today, students of all ages can access the Internet and get information about the language, its culture and people, and relevant material that could be used in practicing the language. It’s very important to have authentic tasks to make learning a language relevant and fun.
Speak your Mind
Speak your Mind was co-founded by Iain McInally. Join me in conversation on WizIQ with Ian McInally on June 13, 2012 at 8.30 EST or check the time in your area to discuss ways of learning English as a foreign language.
Enroll in the WizIQ Conversation with Iain McInally, now
Conversation with Iain McInally – Writer, Teacher and Trainer by WizIQ Conversations
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Speak English at any Age
Apparently, you can learn to speak a foreign language such as English at any age, if you have the motivation and the tasks are relevant. I have had students from the age of 3 to 97 in my face-to-face and fully online classes. The best classes have always been conversational English because everyone is motivated to speak and improve their language skills. I don’t believe in teaching any other way. The topics that students preferred were those that involved personal feelings. I always encourage my students to express their feelings and share their opinions on various topics. It’s not easy to share feelings with others especially in a foreign language, but it’s very important.
Learn English Online (LEO)
I would like to personally invite you to enroll in a 3-week online course on Learning English Online (LEO) WizIQ. The course will be starting on July 15, 2012.
