Better ways to learn a second language

By Yun Jeong Lee

count : 554

Many people in korea think that for learning a second language, particularly

learning English, we have to go abroad. They tell this is very effective

learning English. Maybe English learners or language learners are exposed to

this situation with using a second language if they go abroad. They can also

learn culture of another country. This is better ways to learn a second

language. If so, what is better way or environment to learn a second

language? What do we need to do for learning a second language?

First of all, I think we need to be taught by a great teacher. When I was

student from elementary to university in korea, My teachers' teaching types

is closer to explainer. The test In Korea, at that time, asked students How

much information they memorized or just if they knew correct information.

This is not good for learning a second language. Learning languages is that

receptive and productive skills ; Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing are

improved. I think the teacher teaching a second language is less explaining

,let students think more, and lead students to the class activity for

learning languages. Enabler of three teachers types Adrian Underhill

mentioned is the best teacher we need to learn a second language. This type

teacher knows about the subject matter and about methodology, but also has an

awareness of how individuals and groups are thinking and feeling within her

class. If I met this kind of teacher, My English skill would be pretty good.

The second important thing is methodology. Adult leaners prefer to be free

to direct themselves, but kids leaners can't be given free way to learn

languages because they lack self-control and make noises a lot. According to

various cases, we need appropriate methods to learn and teach language.

The Grammar-Translation Method is much traditional language teaching in

schools worldwide used to be done in this way, and it is still the

predominant classroom method in some cultures. When I was students, I learned

English in this way. It works for reading part, but do not for listening and

speaking. As mentioned earlier, A better way for learning a second language

is to go abroad. To make free conversations in a second language, we have to

practice in the real situation. The Audio-Lingual Method aims to form good

habits through students listening to model dialogues with repetition and

drilling. This methods is good way for listening and speaking without being

abroad. Besides that we have to just talk in English in the classroom or use

English day we speak only English is as good as that we are in foreign

country.

I have studied English in Korea until now and have never been to another

country. I'm not good at speaking English, but grammar and reading part is

kind of good. I have taught middle school students English for about 4 years

in uijeongbu. When I taught the students, I thought the more effective

learning or teaching English. The answer is better teaching skill and making

environment to use English.

Thus If we need to learn a second language, we should have great teachers who

are like enabler, be taught various method, be exposed to the environment to

use English.