It’s not always easy to know where to start and (spoiler alert) learning a second language is drastically different from learning your first. It’s OK, we’re here to help. In this lesson, I’m giving you all my top tips for learning a second language. By the end, you will:
The Teaching Second Language Certificate – Level 1 – specializing in Teaching English as a Second Language meets the needs of aspiring ESL teachers looking for teaching fundamentals. Other Teaching Second Language Certificates include: Required fields are indicated by .
Good teaching strategies can increase students’ motivation for second language learning tasks. Value, self-efficacy and attribution are several critical components that play a great role in second language learner motivation. (1) Value: Second language learners are more motivated on tasks that they value.
Starting with the development stages of second language acquisition and Stephen Krashen’s theory, this paper puts forward teaching strategies: analyzing learner characteristics, signing classroom contracts, creating learner-centered classroom, setting language goals, integrating theory with practice and building learner motivation.
When you learned a first language, you parents didn’t just teach you the words for “carrots”, “bread” and “fork”. Learning a language is not just about vocabulary or children would just become dictionaries. No, your parents and surroundings taught you what’s beyond words: the rules, the customs, the taboos, politeness.
You see, vocabulary is just the tip of the iceberg. When learning a language, children learn all the communication rules of the language without thinking. You even forgot you taught them! But you have to learn them again in your second language.
( Click here to read the original paper.) It looks like a passive form of learning because the child is absorbing everything.
You’re an adult with responsibilities, so stop a gonizing over 8 year-old s learning French as a second language quickly during a 6-month immersion in Paris. Your culture is rooted so deep in your brain that your forgot it’s specific. You can’t just dub a movie in French to make it French. Language goes beyond words.
C) Now matter how “slow” you are, a second language is good for your brain and your income. First, no matter whether you’ re a beginner in French or already at a C2 level, learning a second language is good for your brain.
Seek balance. Learning a new language involves listening, speaking, reading, writing, sometimes even a new alphabet and writing format. If you focus exclusively on just one activity, the others fall behind. This is actually a common pitfall for language learners.
There is a good reason for this: they’re easily portable, they’re excellent for learning short pieces of information (like new words), and used correctly they’re a great recall-based study strategy. However, flashcards are not without problems. For example, it’s far too easy to devote excessive time to making elaborately detailed flashcards, and then spend comparatively little time actually using them! The following tips describe ways to use flashcards in a strategic and effective manner.
Basically, this means repeating a conversation word-for-word, even when you don’t know what all of the words mean.
Studying a new language involves learning a LOT of material, so you’ll want to use your study time as effectively as possible. According to research in educational and cognitive psychology, one of the most effective learning strategies is distributed practice. This concept has two main components: spacing, which is breaking study time up into multiple small sessions, and separation, which means spreading those sessions out over time. [2]
One of the key principles of language learning is all about making errors and then learning from them : this is what review & feedback means. Plus, if you’re not willing to make errors, then the amount of language you produce (your output) goes way down.
Combine your senses: In many cases, you can combine types of input to help create a more learning environment: reading and listening to a text at the same time can help you improve your comprehension. For example, for TV shows and movies, turn on subtitles in the same language. Other options include:
Sometimes, the biggest challenge to language learning is overcoming our own fears: fear of making a mistake, of saying the wrong thing, of embarrassing yourself, of not being able to find the right word, and so on. This is all perfectly rational: anyone learning a language is going to make mistakes, and sometimes those mistakes will be very public.
Giving students the opportunity to establish their own goals, in addition to or in collaboration with those set by the instructional program, allows students to reflect on their reasons for learning a second language, which may in turn lead to increased motivation. Goals can be either long-term or short-term. Students have written down their personal language goals on a piece of paper. Collect these and create lists of long-term and short-term goals on the board to stimulate class discussion. Long-term goals are usually a result of students’ motivations for choosing the language of study. Short-term goals, which are set more often, are used as enabling steps toward long-term goals. For example, if a student’s long-term goal is to be able to read detective novels in the second language, then he or she may focus on short-term goals such as reading short detective stories and focusing on vocabulary related to law enforcement and crime. Short-term goals are generally more immediately reachable than long-term goals
Theory is vital for teachers because it provides insight into why language learners respond to instruction in certain ways. Understanding Stephen Krashen’s theory can help teachers develop appropriate instructional teaching strategies and assessments that guide students along a continuum of language development, from cognitively undemanding, context-embedded curricula, to cognitively demanding, context-reduced curricula. However, it is more and more important to unite theory with practice as follows: (1) Strategy of the acquisition-learning hypothesis According to Stephen Krashen there are two independent systems of second language performance: “the acquired system” and “the learned system”. The “acquired system” or “acquisition” is the product of a subconscious process very similar to the process that children undergo when they acquire their first language. It requires meaningful interaction in the target language—natural communication—in which speakers are concentrated not in the form of their utterances, but in the communicative act. The “taught system” or “teaching” is the product of formal instruction and it comprises a conscious process that results in conscious knowledge “about” the language, for example knowledge of grammar rules. According to Stephen Krashen “learning” is less important than “acquisition”.
It is important to note that TESL Canada certification requires candidates have a university degree with any major recognized in Canada. Please check the TE SL Canada website for accreditation applications.
Online learning is a learning option that caters to busy schedules by taking the learning experience out of the traditional classroom. It is learning that relies on the Internet for access to learning materials as well as interaction with instructors and fellow learners.
However, a degree (with any major) recognized in Canada is required for TESL Canada professional certification. You must be a minimum of 18 years of age to be admitted.
Students have the option to pursue either foreign language courses after 10th that belong to certificate and diploma levels or foreign language courses after 12th at certificate, diploma, UG, PG levels. There are also various foreign language courses online that can be pursued anytime to learn the basics of foreign language courses.
To get admission in postgraduate Foreign Language Courses, one has to hold a bachelor's degree in the related field with at least an aggregate of 50% or above. Admissions in master’s level foreign language courses are merit-based but some colleges may conduct their entrance exam for the same.
A diploma in foreign language courses is designed to equip students with knowledge about the language they are studying and help them grow professionally. Diploma in foreign language courses improves the language and communication skills of the student. These foreign language courses are generally for one year. Some of the best Foreign Language Courses are discussed below:
Postgraduate foreign language courses on your CV adds more value to your credibility as well as enhances your knowledge about the subject. A master’s degree in foreign language courses is always proven to be beneficial especially in the field of languages.
For admissions in UG Foreign Language Courses, one is considered eligible if he/she has completed class XII or a 10+2 equivalent from a recognized board along with a minimum aggregate of 50% . Admissions are merit-based and some colleges may conduct entrance exams of their own.
There is no fixed syllabus for every foreign language course, but the basic subjects include history, culture, accent, and dictation of the foreign language in question. Candidates with a good knowledge of the foreign language are highly demanded in the government and private sector. By opting for foreign language courses, ...