Learning and Acquiring a Second Language for Adult Learners

I gained many new experiences from learning English while I was attending  university in the Philippines rather than in Korea. I studied English as a second language in Korea up to high school. During those years of study, typical Korean schools concentrated on developing students receptive skills such as reading and listening. So this is the teaching method which I was accustomed to. But when I arrived in the Philippines, I was unprepared for the new learning environment. The education system focused on developing students integrated skills, such as speaking and writing  as well as receptive skills such as reading and listening.

To begin with my troubles started on my first day in the Philippines when I went to the immigration office. I had to explain my situation which was very simple or so I thought; I had left an important document in my luggage which I needed to process my immigration permit. It soon became clear to me just how hard it was explaining this to the immigration officer. The problem was the English skills I learned from the Korea's English teaching methods didn't prepare me enough to handle such a simple situation like this.  As I mentioned above, they only work on certain skills. I have modified my English learning strategy and focused on integrated skills that include reading, listening, speaking, and writing.

While in the Philippines, I met an English teacher who helped me to modify my learning approach. She quickly determined my level as a false beginner. She took an explainer teaching style because I was at the Early Production period. Our teacher-Student relationship was based on restricted interactions. Even though I couldn't communicate well with my teacher, she made me very comfortable and was patient and tried to give practical expressions. In preparing lessons, she was always clear about what I was going to learn. After two months with her, I  experienced the Speech Emergence. By the third month, I reached the Intermediate fluency.

After the third month, she changed her teaching style to an involver and we enjoyed more teacher and student interactions. She gave me a lot of opportunities(autonomy) to talk, write, and listen.  I still remember a line what she said. ' Jay, for the first two months I though you were a zombie. After that period you became a talkative person.' There are many reasons that I have achieved a high level of English. It could be good teachers, books and TV shows.  Most of all, however, my inspiration to reach my own goals drove me so far.

While I am learning English in the Philippines, I studied grammar more for the purpose of self-correction. I believe that humans have Universal Grammar(UG) but I think it takes long time to apply the rules correctly and naturally if the learner is not native speaker. That is why, I had to study grammar to use English more properly and accurately.

While I was in the philippines, I took dental course and most of the subject teachers took the explainer teaching style. Only some teachers utilized the enabler teaching style. At first, I had many troubles with the enabler teaching style because it forced me to spend many hours in preparation and had to remember the contents what I was going to teach my classmates. I think teaching others is a good way to retain the information because we have to consider a subject thoroughly and view it from many directions.

I learned "Multiple Intelligences" that show the strengths of individuals that can be developed over a lifetime. In the "Multiple Intelligences" assessment, I realized I tend to be a visual learner. Before this I didn't know why I could pay more attention to classes which provided many visual aids such as charts, graphs and pictures. Now that I know this, I will be more likely to incorporate it in both my learning and the teaching of the others.

Learning theories in learning and acquiring language intrigues me very much. I believe that Interactionist's belief in 'Universal Grammar' and 'Language Acquisition Device(LAD)' are quite reliable. Each human beings has an ability in learning and acquiring language whether it is their first or second language. Nevertheless I wouldn't hesitate to strongly assert that interaction is very much essential in learning and acquiring language.

Staying in the Philippines has affected me very positively because I found what I like and I am eager to do better. In the future, I will do my best to apply the theories I learned. I have a goal that my students won't have to go to foreign countries and learn English like I did. I will train and teach them to be capable to compete with those who were raised in foreign countries through removing ineffective and nonessential things which hinder their improvement. It is necessary to create an atmosphere where my students immerse themselves in English in Korea. I will hone my skills to be a credible mentor as well.

While in the Philippines, I studied hard to develop my English skills and they  improved enough to teach students. Teaching students, however, was not that simple and easy at first and I always had intentions of teaching better. I realized I needed to learn how to teach about the more effectively and become a better facilitator. Around that time, I learned TIMES TESOL Program and I believe that I could reach my goals through this course.