Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Activity 4: Explaining ELT related concepts/ writing and Essay


 

BA in ELT


ENGLISH V


Tutor: Edgar Karim Audelo Sandoval


Topic: Activity 4 writing an Essay


By: Jesús Enrique Viedas Gutiérrez


 

 

 

October 9th, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

Teaching a second language is a challenge, not only the use of a couple of words can stop the way of the learning process, one of the points is to communicate with purpose to be understood, nowadays the globalization is playing an important role since with it, the competences are increasing day by day. To improve speaking skill is necessary to find ways and stay in the continuous learning process. To students learn correctly their guider-tutor has to be well prepared, a teacher is a fundamental part in the development of a good or bad quality in the students education. Teachers are carrying with the responsibility of provide what these times require. 

 

Development

Improving speaking skills to transmit quality to students

One of the most important aspects in the second language learning is how to improve the communicative skills in students, there are many reasons to be better especially when you decide to be a teacher, since it is a big responsibility to teach or guide students that want to develop abilities in the second language. Nowadays is not enough to learn a couple of words without the correct pronunciation even is more important to develop communicative skills since it is the main goal of those who have decided learning a second language, what is an advantage nowadays, is that in elementary schools and also since kinder gardens students are being expose to the second language in this case English, and to students learn correctly the first actor (teacher) has to speak correctly. To improve the communicative skill in a country where the language is different has some barriers that can affect or detour the performance, there are some tips that can be taken into a count to develop the speaking skill of an acceptable way.

Here are some tips that can help to develop the mentioned skill:

1. Observe the mouth movements of those who speak English well and try to imitate them.

When you are watching television, observe the mouth movements of the speakers. Repeat what they are saying, while imitating the intonation and rhythm of their speech.

2. Until you learn the correct intonation and rhythm of English, slow your speech down.

If you speak too quickly, and with the wrong intonation and rhythm, native speakers will have a hard time understanding you. 

Don't worry about your listener getting impatient with your slow speech -- it is more important that everything you say be understood.
3. Listen to the 'music' of English.
Do not use the 'music' of your native language when you speak English. Each language has its own way of 'singing'. 

4. Use the dictionary.

Try and familiarise yourself with the phonetic symbols of your dictionary. Look up the correct pronunciation of words that are hard for you to say.

5. Make a list of frequently used words that you find difficult to pronounce and ask someone who speaks the language well to pronounce them for you.

Record these words, listen to them and practice saying them. Listen and read at the same time.   

6. Buy books on tape.

Record yourself reading some sections of the book. Compare the sound of your English with that of the person reading the book on the tape.

7. Pronounce the ending of each word.

Pay special attention to 'S' and 'ED' endings. This will help you strengthen the mouth muscles that you use when you speak English.
8. Read aloud in English for 15-20 minutes every day. 
Research has shown it takes about three months of daily practice to develop strong mouth muscles for speaking a new language.

9. Record your own voice and listen for pronunciation mistakes.

Many people hate to hear the sound of their voice and avoid listening to themselves speak. However, this is a very important exercise because doing it will help you become conscious of the mistakes you are making.

10. Be patient.

You can change the way you speak but it won't happen overnight. People often expect instant results and give up too soon. You can change the way you sound if you are willing to put some effort into it.

 

The appropriate use of the language is crucial, the confidence of a person increases when has enough knowledge and can express and communicate correctly, one of the most important points and that are useful in the well development of it, is the use of songs that really helps since the exaggeration in pronunciation, grammatical structures and common phrases can be useful and ready to use in the real life.

 

When a speech is directed to an audience or even when talk to a person the most important is that the other person understands you, the most important thing to think about is, can people understand you? If you have a problem being understood then find someone who speaks English clearly and try to copy the way they speak. Pay particular attention to speed and enunciation.

 

I have problem: it’s my English abilities. I don’t have any relations with others who can communicate in English with me, plus, when I read an English book, I get bored quickly. How can I improve my English? Where can I go?

These are some common frustrations when are learning a second language, and the only answer is do not get discouraged! Since the key of the process is to keep in calm and practice as much as can.

 

When learning a second language is not enough to learn single words since is well known that the brain will have problem to create sentences in a future, what is high recommended is that if you decide to learn a single word try to learn it with the pronunciation because will be more effective your learning and you will become confidence at the moment you want to use it, also one important aspect and that has to be considered is to learn sentences or phrases that can facilitate the brain to communicate in a short future.

 

 

Conclusion

 

Teachers have to be well prepared, education in these times demands quality, and students want to be more competent even if they are children, the age doesn’t have importance but the quality is very important, students are anxious to learn and use new words. The good use of the language in a teacher is crucial in the Ss learning process since they will develop confidence and good pronunciation of the words or phrases that are use in the classroom. Nowadays we can use many virtual classes that can help us to be better in speaking, also we can try to find friends with which we can have conversations in their language in this case native English speakers. 

 

 

 

 

Sources:



 

 

 

 

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