TESOL Assignment # 1 : Second Language Acquisition Assignment

TITLE : Who makes you go on a study is the best teacher of yours

#TESOL 75 / Wendy

Our text book said, “whereas most teachers will need to be a good explainers’ at various points in their lessons, a teaching approach based solely or mainly on technique can be problematic”

I agree that. I think that when I want to be good explainer for some one, I should be the  position if possible. So our text book recommend remembering teachers we have known. so I want to do it now. To day, I want to tell as a student learned English as a second Language. Through comparing my two experiences as a learner for Second language, I will consider of teacher’s types, adult learner characteristics and  I want to build a model that I should try to be.

I think In my middle school years, my English learning was fail. I entered Dealime Girs’ Middle School in 1992. Then I met Jungsuk Kim as my first English teacher. She thought us alphabet and the next day she thought us English “Good morning, how are you? I’m from ....”atc.....I didn’t know. I couldn’t understand....I didn’t know how to read, many words.....And then  I had become pretty used to these situations. I lost confidence for English.

After bell rang, she came into classroom and then always turned on a cassette first so all students should repeat the tapes. I remember untill now, the next turn is to write on the board without saying anything then she  explained grammar and text. Finally the bell rang again she went out of the classroom. She didn’t want any relationship with students and  she was authoritativeness. She progressed the class alone, she was a loner. I didn’t feel any interest in English. My English learning was fail.

At this time, I want to talk about successful experience of learning English. In March 1996, I was a sophomore student of Sihung High School. At that time I met a foreign teacher for the first time. She was a second-generation Korean American. Her name was Ester. She couldn’t say a word within Korean. She was different from other english teacher that I have met yet. One day She entered into our classroom wearing scarf around her head and sunglasses  to be a seller, students couldn’t  help concentrating because of her funny figure. She always smiled and was friendly. Her class was very fun and not fearful any more. She gave students drills that can be used for not good skilled student like me. She waited patiently untill students finished their talking and really really listened. Students tried to act on her and answer. Not only I but my class mates waited for her class. I was cheered by her, I went to her to ask checking my English diary. My best English teacher didn’t hate me who was an unusualness student. She checked my diary for all the year round. She left my school but I  have been encouraged from the class, I myself could start to study English by listening the radio program. She  carried conviction to me to study English.

Now I want to compare the two different kinds of learning experience for English. My middle school teacher gave lessons  trough traditional teaching. I think that in our school day’s, it’s very important to study grammar because of exam in school and there were about 52~57 student in one class room. If I had been her, could I have any good ideas that else? It would not be easy. However, Some point of view, her class had something that were belong to traditional teaching that using board to explain thing and our role was only listening.  She was just a explainer. She teaching relied mainly on ‘explaining’ or ‘lecturing’. She didn’t have any rapport with students.

The other side, Ester’s class was new and she was an involver. She tried to show new way to learners as many interesting activities. then I was very active learner. When I was given respect I could be a good learner.

I feel certain about that learning experience in middle school was fail and learning experience in high school was a success because my first learning experience made me lose confidence but my learning experience in high school with Esther made me have confidence and keep studying  continue. So I think Who makes you go on a study is the best teacher of yours.

She was special for me. She was not only a teacher but also friend. I could feel respect from her. Who could hate like those teachers. I want to be a teacher like her. I want to be involver for my student not only a teacher but also friend. I want to be  the teacher makes my students go on learning with giving respct, aims and confidence.