Unit 12 Differences between L1 and L2 learning

It’s really different when we learn own first language. On the one hand, we have the opportunity to play and experiment with language. Also, we communicate because we want to, we need it. Interaction with our family and of course with exposure to language all the time. Furthermore, when we are learning the L1 we are encouraged boy by people. Besides, when we make mistakes people often reformulate, in this way we can realize that we are making a mistake. On the other hand, when we learn a L2, we haven’t the opportunity to experiment with language. Also, we are not exposing to it the enough time to learn and process it. Often, three hours per week. There is little or no motivation to learn. About exposure, we are not exposed to the language since the teacher teaches specific language items. I would apply my knowledge in the classroom through motivating them. I consider that interaction and exposure to the language could be benefit for younger learners. But, with older I could focus on the form because they have developed their cognitive skills more. The language has to be less specific, not concrete. Also, depend on the learning styles of the students, age and personality. I could find the correct strategies to make them to learn a language. Finally, I could use simplified speech in order to make them not to be confused. As a conclusion, I could learn that learning the L1 it’s very different from learning the L2 and it could be easier for the teacher to teach their students the L2 through different strategies which will be beneficial for them.

For more information:

·         Comparing First and Second Language Acquisition by Vivian Cook Homepage.ntlworld.com,. (2014). Comparing First and Second Language Acquisition by Vivian Cook. Retrieved 28 November 2014, from http://homepage.ntlworld.com/vivian.c/SLA/L1%2

·         Reviewing some similarities and differences in L1 and L2 lexical development Chenu, F., & Jisa, H. (2009). Reviewing some similarities and differences in L1 and L2 lexical development. Acquisition Et Interaction En Langue Étrangère, (Aile... Lia 1), 17-38. Retrieved from http://aile.revues.org/4506

Unit 11 The role of error

It's always helpful to learn from your mistakes because then your mistakes seem worthwhile. - Garry Marshall

An important fact is that making mistakes plays an important and useful part in language learning because it helps students to experiment with language and measure their success in communicating. As the matter of fact, mistakes are categorised into errors and slips. Errors occur when learners try to say something is beyond their level. Slips are the result of tiredness, worry or other emotions. In addition, there are two reasons of why learners make mistakes. First, the learner’s first language or mother tongue/ L1 on the L2. This is called interference. Learners might use sound patters, lexis or grammatical structures from their own language in English. Second, they are unconsciously working out, organizing and experimenting. But, this process is not completed yet, this is called developmental error. When they learn they often make overgeneralization which is common but when they realize they start using the language and increasing accuracy. In addition, sometimes error not disappear instead they get fossilised. Fossilisation often occurs when learners are unmotivated. Regarding this, I could use some strategies with beginners e.g. I need to identify what kind of mistakes the learner is making, slip or an error and try to correct them appropriately. I could use prompting. If my students are speaking and they make mistakes I would ignore them because I want them to develop confidence. Finally, it’s necessary to know how and when to correct them. As a conclusion, the teacher has to understand that this is an important part of the learning process, and try to find ways to help them to overcome.

 

Look here for more information: 

• The Art of Making Mistakes - How and why mistakes help you to learn languages (Guest post by Luca) - Fluent in 3 months - Language Hacking and Travel Tips Fluentin3months.com,. (2014). The Art of Making Mistakes - How and why mistakes help you to learn languages (Guest post by Luca) - Fluent in 3 months - Language Hacking and Travel Tips. Retrieved 27 November 2014, from http://www.fluentin3months.com/make-mistakes/

• Teaching Students to Embrace Mistakes Edutopia,. (2014). Teaching Students to Embrace Mistakes. Retrieved 27 November 2014, from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/teaching-students-to-embrace-mistakes-hunter-maats-katie-obrien

Unit 10 Exposure and focus on form.

On the one hand, I consider this unit very important since this chapter is about how foreign languages are learnt . In  addition, language is learnt by exposure to it. I mean, we have to hear and read it without studying it. In this way, we pick up the language automatically, as we learn the first language. There are three ways in which we learn.First, acquaring language, or language acquisition. We need lots of exposure. We can achieve this by reading book according to our level. Since, acquisition takes place mainly of a period of time which is called silent period,  without realising we are learning. Second, we need to use it in interaction with the teacher and classmates. So, we need to understand and be understood anyways if we aren't achieve this we have to paraphrase. Finally, we need to focus on form, that means to put attention to its formal features, e.g. pronunciation, word order, affixes, spelling, etc. On the other hand, in order to transmit my knowledge to my students I need to take into account that leanimg a language it's a little bit complex and I could make them to listen songs, or readings. I need to understand that maybe they don't have the enough comprehension. Furthermore, I could choose recordings and reading material at the right level of difficulty. Activities that make them to interact with language. So, they will have the opportunity to experiment with language and this will be helpful for them. As a conclusion, there are many ways to help learners to learn a foreign language. We could use the Grammar Translation Method or  the Communicative approach. The most important thing is to find the correct strategies for earning a second language.

For additional information:

• Novitasroyal.org,. (2014). Retrieved 27 November 2014, from http://www.novitasroyal.org/Vol_4_1/baleghizadeh.
• Fluentin3months.com,. (2014). The Art of Making Mistakes - How and why mistakes help you to learn languages (Guest post by Luca) - Fluent in 3 months - Language Hacking and Travel Tips. Retrieved 27 November 2014, from http://www.fluentin3months.com/make-mistakes/

Unit 9 Motivation

As motivation is very important I would like to start with this wonderful quotation:

“Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.” –Christian D. Larson

 I would like to explain what I have learned from this unit. First of all, motivation is the thoughts and feelings which make us want to and continue to want to do something and which turn our wishes into action. Regarding this, motivation is one of the key factors that helps students to learn a language. People have the motivation to achieve several things in life. So, we tend to put emphasis in the target language culture. When we learn a language we have confidence about ourselves and this helps us to increase our independence. In the same way, motivating students is very important and as a future teacher I would apply some of the  key areas suggested by Z. Dornyei and K. Csizér. First, I will behave naturally in order to make them to be more confident with me. Second, bring in humor, laughter, and smile. This is very important since a really serious person tend to unmotivate students specially the first day of class. Third, accept mistakes, since they are a natural part of learning. We have to take into account that for them is like to discover something unknown.  As a conclusion, motivating students is really important, if we don't motivate them they are not going to be interested in the language.

References:

·         Tesol.org,. (2014). Motivating Language Learners to Succeed . Retrieved 27 November 2014, from http://www.tesol.org/read-and-publish/journals/other-serial-publications/compleat-links/compleat-links-volume-5-issue-2-%28june-2008%29/motivating-language-learners-to-succeed

·         YouTube,. (2014). Ways to Stay Motivated Learning a Foreign Language. Retrieved 27 November 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpP08gmM3YU