Essay Assignment

I only vaguely remember hearing some curious saying - announcement at the airport.

" Your attention please. Korean Air flight KE098 departing at 10:00

is now boarding at gate 4 ..." That was my first experience to hear other language at my age 7.

At that time I didn't know what it was and what she's saying. but, The sound which was like rolling tongue deeply remained in my mind.

When I visited country to see my relatives in second grade in the elementary school during vacation. I had a second chance to learn about new language called English while meeting a real American pretty girl with blond hair speaking English .

She was at the peak of her popularity wherever she went she was surrounded by country boys and girls wanting to see a blue eyed doll.

I could help country children understand what she was saying as I managed to communicate with hand gesture and talking nonsense.

My heart was full with thinking making something of myself. I learned that speaking English could be a good source of pride in front of peers

.

At that time, since school taught English in the first grade in the  middle school Sincerely I had to wait to learn English until then.

However No sooner than had I started learning English at school than my expectation was broken.

On the first day, English teacher entered holding English text book in one hand, a cane in the other.  The class was only focussed on grammar and reading. Teacher just let students memorize English words and phrases.

My young inexperienced teacher proceeded things much too fast. No chance to practice, no need to understand how difficultly students follow his class.

Students used to be given the cane on the palms or buttocks when receiving low grade. but, students are not a horse, feeling the whip, started of at a gallop.

Generally teacher moved following the curriculum without considering student's moving at their own rate.  That's typical, traditional teacher style.

There was  only endless input. I started to get bored and feel how hard work is to learn language little by little. According to exam system I was classified as a student with only a B-average in spite of my great enthusiasm for learning English.

Traditional classroom was not enough to elicit Students' interest and improve language especially to students like me  who like speaking rhythmically, using words effectively, acting out, making up stories.

As a  teacher ,It's important to teach the amount as much as student understand, check if students have taken it with repeat questions, oral practice, give enough time to make themselves understood what they feel difficult let them practice repeatedly.

School have been set for students who are logical, mathematical and linguistic until now. but fortunately social environment has changed gradually  since a number of students who are artistic, musical, kinesthetic, interpersonal have succeeded  in all levels of society. All students having multiple intelligences need to be understood and engaged in activities that involve their strengths.

Looking back my working experience I continuously have worked in environment needed speaking English, That's why I have been motivated to learn English more while having business meeting, business trip, negotiation, project proceeding.

After graduation school I recognized  some differences between school English and practical English. When I heard colleagues' speaking. They who had gone abroad to study used practical English not grammatical English while talking with foreigner. It sounded easier to understand, approached to me naturally.

My purpose of learning English was changed to acquire necessary things to communicate and interact  using appropriate words.

Adults have been accustomed to learning passively, just receiving one side information, concept  from teacher to learner. but  they are fully motivated to learn through  their working experience and accumulated knowledge.

When teaching adults teachers should be a good listener, a facilitator  not a teacher, try to enhance learner's internal more self directed, know learner's achievement, provide information can be applicable to their work, promote development of skills and confidence.

The more motivated the learner is, the more effectively adults will study.

written by Fiona