My Second Language Acquisition Experience

I.	Introduction

II.	Body

Traditional – modern classrooms

Teacher types

Learning styles/intelligences

Effective teaching

III.	Conclusion

Student’s name : Joy

Teacher’s name : Valerie Harmer

Class # : 35th Weekend

Date : 2010/11/17

Word count : 532

I.	Introduction

From now on, I will write about experience of learning my second language. My second language is English.  5 years ago, I took an English class in a SDA academy. It was a first time that I took an English conversation class, except my middle and high school. That class I took in a SDA, was successful to me. Because before I took that class, I had studied alone. After taking that class, many things were changed. first of all 5days a week, I had a chance to speak English. Second, I should take daily vocabulary and grammar tests. In addition, I had a chance to compete with others. That made a big difference.

Ⅱ.	Body

Traditional – modern classrooms.

At that time, my class was a modern classroom. At the beginning

of each class, teacher had a short explanation with our text book.

And then we should make our sentences one by one. Each class

took 1 hour. 20 minutes a day, we had a discussion time in a

small group. The group was new everyday. So we could practice

how to express our thoughts well. Sometimes we had a presentation

,too. If I don't  take part in my class, I couldn't pass each level.

there were 6 levels to finish.

Teacher types

My teachers were Involver types. - I had 3 different teachers

during SDA classes. Their teaching style was very similar. They

made students explain the meaning of many words in English.

For learning grammar, Teacher gave some example sentences and

then students should have changed those examples by themselves

with their own idea. for learning pronunciation, teacher read first,

after that the students imitated it 3times.

Learning styles

My learning styles are interpersonal and intrapersonal. Actually

before starting this TESOL class, I didn't know my learning styles.

Whether I knew my learning styles or not, my class in SDA had

many good points for my learning. The class included free talking,

Group discussion, game, presentation, dailytests...Their system was

good for me.

Effective teaching

At the SDA academy, I could meet many native teachers.

Their individual characteristic was different but their teaching style

was similar. They showed respect to their students, enough. They

tried to communicate clearly. And they were all enthusiastic and

patient. From time to time, Teachers and students had lunch

together after finishing class. Teachers always tried to familiar with

their students. I think those factors were very effective for teaching

students.

Ⅲ.	conclusion

As I told you, before taking SDA class , I had studied alone. It

was not enough to study. I needed feedback about my studying

and I should have knew about not only language but also culture.

In a SDA class, with native teachers, I felt getting improved. Thanks

to that class, I knew the importance of taking daily lessons for

improving language ability. So I think it was really good chance for

me. Especially for learning real English!