<My second language                      acquisition experience>

Name: Betty

Teacher’s name:Valerie

Class: 33rd weekday

Date: 09.15.10

Word Counts: 512

<Topics>

Effective teaching

Teacher types

Traditional-modern classrooms

Learning styles/intelligences

I’ve studied English in earnest since last year. I believe the most important thing is maintaining the language sense when I learn a language. I go to English institute everyday. One day, I met my friend Zach. He is an Korean American. Even though he couldn’t speak Korean, we got along with. I felt more comfortable when I talk with him than other natives because his appearance is same with ours. He was adopted when he was six years old. At that time, he was finding his real mother. He wanted to learn Korean so we started our languages exchange.

Enthusiasm makes an effective teacher. He was not a professional teacher. He didn’t feel a burden because it was our common hobby and we enjoyed it. He was interested in teaching me so he was enthusiastic. He had a passion to teach me. He showed me his enthusiasm. When I recognized it I could study English harder. I really appreciated about that. If he wasn’t enthusiastic in my class I would regard English as one of subject I should do. I wouldn’t enjoy it.

He was an enabler. He didn’t let me know the correct answer at once. He led me to find right answer by giving some hints. supposing some situation, he gave me the role of mine. We did role playing. And then we practiced it in the real world. He introduced me some foreign friends. I could practice my English with them. Whenever I hesitate to say something, he encouraged me to try. he made me overcome my barrier.

We used modern teaching. He showed me interesting things when it comes to English. We sometimes watched English movies and we talked about it. That way was my favorite way to study. We used skype on on-line when we can’t meet face to face. Our material wasn’t limited as language. Therefore, it aroused my curiosity about english. He tried to use various  class materials so I can learn a lot of things. If I studied in the traditional way, such as monotonous reading or passive way,  it could be boring.

I am intrapersonal. I possess strong personality and I can be self motivated. He was my friend before being my teacher. He caught my inclination. He gave me many chances to express my self in English because I am an independent person. We used debating or discussion.

by doing them I could arrange my opinion logically. He gave me some time to fix my mistake When I mistook. He knew the fact it can hurt my self esteem if he pointed out my weakness directly.

We could study efficiently because We knew each other well. It was short time when we consider the period we study English. However, it was the best chance to get many things. I’ve learned many things from my native friend. It was great time with him. In addition, I can say to people who are learning language "enjoying is the best way when you learn something." If you change your view about second language it could not be a stress but a pleasure.