My experience of Second language(English) acquisition

TIMESTESOL 198th WD / Felix (Lee Seung Hak)

I swear that my experience of second language acquisition was successful.

Frankly speaking, I started learning English when I was 20 years old. which means I’ve never studied English in middle and high school at all. Some people around me don’t believe it. But it is seriously true. I spent a lot of time learning musical instruments and learning machines when I was young. Studying English is like hell for me at the time.

After graduated from high school, I went to the Philippines for studying abroad. It was my first time I met English. Of course, at the beginning, it was too difficult to understand the rule of English grammar. but I was never discouraged. because of a relaxed atmosphere.

In the Philippines, they do not teach English like Korea does. In Korea, most of students from school study English by book only. so teachers usually teach English in a strong dogmatic way. they only focus on Grammar instead of speaking. I think it is for national college entrance exam. As a result, Lots of students good at reading and writing. but they are not familiar with spoken English. I think still many of English teachers in Korea are Explainer. And problem is they prefer classroom to be traditional room. I mean, of course, it is not that way. the way of this style is lecture and it's common in Korea now.

By the way, In the Philippines, I could enjoy English class. because of teachers. most of them were involver. they always gave us game and we did a lot of activities using English rules. so I could learn English naturally. One day. I was in listening class. and teacher showed us a music video. The name of song is Payphone by Maroon 5.

After watched a video, we asked to pick one scene in video and had to describe the scene in English. also we received a worksheet which has some blank. so we listen to the music carefully and tried to figure out the words right in blanks. It helped me to read and translate English into Korean. And also I could improve my listening skill as well.

so In this class, teach covered Visual problem and Auditory problem. And there was dance class too. Students in this class have to communicate with class mates including teacher using their body. so they didn’t feel English is boring subject at all. Because they use a lot of Bodily. But it is super weird situation here in Korea.

For these reasons, I could learn more about English and use English even when I went to Australia.

I am major in English literature in University. These days, our class rooms are changing quickly. Last semester, I learned one liberal arts. this subject is not the way the teacher is teaching. At first time, students to asked to organize into groups. and elected a leader of each teams. each of teams had to prepare for class and progress school class.

we call it ‘flipped learning’. Teacher only gives some advices to students who needs help. So the role of teacher is Enabler. Actually, I didn’t understand and recognize this style of class. but eventually I could find out what this method of teaching require.

This can also be explained by the Affective Filter Hypothesis.

I went to Europe for my graduation trip for 18 days a month ago. And I’ve met a lot of people who are all from different countries. We just talked about each other’s education system. one from Switzerland told us that they learn English by exposure to natural environment. He also did do lots of activities game in English class. The point is that he never speaks English without any thinking. But in my case, I tend to use English while thinking about grammar. Some countries in Europe educate students in a modern way(classroom).

Even though, I am studying English in University, English is still so difficult to me. But I believe that I have L.A.D. in my brain so I can improve my English step by step. In the class of University, my favorite Prof. Kim told me that All people have their own multiple intelligence.

And to conclude, I am still young to learn English. I never give up even when I amd faced with hard time and try to study hard as I did so far.

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Word Count: 750