My two language

learning experiences

Name : Jane

Teacher : Chris Hopewell

Date : May 17th, 2014

Class name : 100th TESOL

Word count : 776

Outline

Ⅰ. Inrto

I am going to write an essay on two language-learning experiences based on my experiences .

Ⅱ. Body

⑴ Adults learner characteristics

⑵ Traditional vs. modern classrooms

⑶ Teacher types

⑷ Effective teaching

Ⅲ. Conclusion

I will think about  effective teaching based on 4 chapter above.

Ⅰ. Intro

I am going to write an essay on two language-learning experiences and give my personal examples by making a comparison my English teacher in university and Japanese teacher in high school. That is based on four subjects. It is as in the following.

· Adult learner characteristics

· Traditional vs. modern classrooms

· Teacher types

· Effective teaching

Ⅱ. Body

⑴ Adults learner characteristics

I didn't have any passion for learning almost all subjects as well as English and Japanese, when I was high school student. I just studied for the exam. I was passive and planless to study. I knew only alphabet then. English was both my complex and also my heart's desire. I have started to study English of my own free will, since university student. I have been getting an interest in English. I got a job at the hotel after graduation, but now I am studying hard to prepare for new job, which is a teacher of English.

So to speak, based on adults learner characteristics, I am self-directed and Goal-oriented.

⑵ Traditional vs. modern classrooms

I think the traditional classroom is teacher-centered and authoritative. Also students studied mainly with our textbooks. I've had a similar experience. My Japanese teacher did that. He always came to class with a cane to scold students who make a lot of noise in class. The class started in a tense atmosphere a little. He made us memorize such as hiragana, words and expression. Students repeated line by line after teacher read textbooks. I think the Japanese teacher is the traditional style.

On the other hand,  the modern classroom is student-centered. The English teacher, I think, was modern style. Students paired up to practice the sample dialogue as the teacher strolled around the class, correcting pronunciation. Also she focused more on conversational skill than grammar rules. We sometimes went out a cafeteria or campus and talked over our coffee. That made us excited and comfortable. It was really a great time for me.

⑶ Teacher types

I think the Japanese teacher was an explainer because he knew his subject matter very well, but has limited knowledge of teaching methodology. He mostly translated Japanese into Korean and students took down a lecture. Then we were asked to interpret a text. It was a little boring. we studied mainly with our textbooks. We listened and occasionally answered. Most of students didn't have enough chances to practice speaking. I think, in this type teacher, the classroom dependents on teacher's personality and technique.

The English teacher was an involver because she was familiar with teaching methodology and helped students participate actively in the class. She tried to do many group activities, for example, students had to make a group presentation about analysis of film after watching movies in class. Students could take an active part in lesson.

⑷ Effective teaching

In my opinion, empathizing with student's problems is one of effective teaching. There are some of the teachers who know their subject matter very well but have no regard what students is lack and convey information to the students. I think the students lose interest and give up to learn when they can not understand a general idea. Such was the case with me. My English ability was worse than the other friends. My English teacher's lesson in middle school was too hard to understand to me. So I gave up English in those days.

In high school, fortunately I met the English teacher who empathized what students find difficult and why students dislike English. Above all things, She condescend to our intellectual level in order to be understood. Since then, I started to take an interest in English and studied much better than before. That is why I think that empathizing with student's problems is important.

Ⅲ. Conclusion

Adult learners have self-directed and Goal-oriented characteristics.

The traditional classroom is teacher-centered while the modern class is student-centered. So the teachers not only help the students study actively also to be concerned in the students. I'm not sure which teacher type is the best. In my case, it depends on subjects. I think the communication between the teacher and the students is most important.