Tesol 01:

Second Language Acquisition

Course : TESOL 29TH WD                                   Date : 2010, May, 19th

Instructor : Valerie Hamer

Name: Yoon Minjin (Chloe)

1.Introduction

Identify a second language environment

2.Evidence / Main idea

- Failure as a language experience.

- Success as a language experience.

- related TESOL 01 module.

3.Conclusion

My beliefs of a second language acquisition.

When I was young, I like learning English. I had an English tutor who taught me word, song and story of English. I always want to learn English more and more. So I continued my focus on learning English.

When I was in high school student, I lost interest of learning English. My teacher who was in high school was very strict and powerful. He explained English without our acquirement and used mother tongue, Korean. There were many different materials in the classroom but he didn't use them. So we didn't have a chance for activities like singing a song or playing games. He only use textbook. He read the book first and then we repeated that. That was all my English time in school. So it was very boring and I didn't want to learning English anymore. But I have to study English because of examinations for entrance of university.

After I graduated from university, I felt necessary to learning English. So I quitted my job and went to Philippines to study English. I met Eilin there. She was my English teacher who was a half-Filipina and half-spanish. So her pronunciation was not good. She had unique intonation patterns. But she was a good teacher to me. She knew why I learn English and understood environment of Korea to learn English. she had a lot of experience of teacher. She was an English Teacher in high school and Academy.

I need IELTS score because I wanted to go to Australia to study TESOL after this course. She exactly knew my plans. She provided me a lot more information of IELTS. She knew lack of my english skills especially speaking and writing skills. So we focused on speaking and writing skills. we discussed one topic everyday. she gave me homework for writing. I chose the topics. Sometimes I bring the topics from newspaper or article of internet. Sometimes I lose my confidence for learning English when I had a test. She has always encouraged me.

We did not use only textbooks. We used many different materials. We used radio for my listening skill, whiteboard for my writing skill, computer and magazine for my reading and speaking skill. Sometimes we played games like a crossword or a mission which she gave me was like searching something, bring someone's belongings do not use body language. She tried many activities to do not lose my interest.

She was very good teacher to me. She helped achieve my goal. She had very tolerant attitude of students and knew how to teach English effectively. She always respected my decision.

I think effective teaching from my experience. And I realized that to be an effective teaching for student, to be an effective teacher I am.  Teacher knows students's level of English, their goals, the subject matter well. Teacher always respects students and believes them. And teacher thinks always students centered as facilitator.

I think I was a teacher like explainer and involver. And I used limited materials for my students. But nowadays we need enabler teacher. Therefore I hope to be a good teacher through this TESOL program. And I would like to change my teaching skills and learn more about teaching.