Second Language Acquisition

Teacher : Valerie Hamer

Name : Olivia(Jeon na na)

Date : 14th /Aug

I am going to talk about my personal experience of language learning. I have experienced both failure and success as language acquisition.

I have experienced of learning English from being a elementary school student to being a university school student with second language acquisition.  At fist when I was elementary school student I just studied in a traditional class. In the large class room with over 30 people teachers were always using some text book. He were let students memorize a lot of words, making students just listen, reading and take notes, grammar skills. also he used to give me an assignment everyday. so I had to follow them. Teachers all were good at teaching their subject well. As the class started they just checked my homework. but I felt boring for the class. also English is very difficult to me. I could learn grammar and vocabulary well. but  I could not speak English well. I did not say in English with daily conversation. This method is just good for memorizing vocabulary and grammar and the teacher is actually explainer.

secondly My spoken English hasn't improved much. so I decided to study English conversation. I enrolled English institute in PAGODA. This course name was SLE(Speaking Listening Expression). I learned how to speak English. The course had many kind of class types. There were 9-10 people in my class room. The teacher described subject of conversation. and we talked about this subject with each partner. I was really enjoy spending time at class. because I had a lot of chances to think something in English. also the teacher was using multiple intelligences. she were let students take dictation while listen to the music, reading aloud etc. she was using musical and interpersonal intelligence. Moreover she was really kindly person so that always encouraged students even they make mistakes. The teacher is actually involver. and now I think that the teaching type is effective to advance for me.

In my experience adult learner characteristic is goal oriented. They usually have a specific reason to learn. For example I started to study English for TOEIC test. I enrolled English institute and I bought many English book, listening tape for my good TOEIC grade. and many people begin to study English for getting a job or develop their English skills. so I think the most important point for adult learner is to give them a goals.

In conclusion my idea of effective teacher is that should be positive, give students appropriate advice, give students motivations for their goals. If I am English teacher I will try to be a enabler. Maybe it is very difficult teacher type. but I really make a greater effort.