Unit 12

Differences between L1 and L2 learning

There is a big difference between learning L1 than L2, we start learning our first language since we are babies and all our lives, rather than L2 we start learning at school but that is not enough to acquire the language. It is obvious that we are exposure and we need to use L1 everyday but in L2 we do not have any motivation to start or continue learning and acquiring the language, especially out of the school, collage, or university. But one of the most important things is that we as learners are always corrected by teacher and we are frightened at the time to talk, we tend to no use L2 for fear to make mistakes.

As teachers we have to build a strong confidence with learners to let them talk in a free way without thinking in errors; motivate learners to use the language inside and outside the class; expose the language to learners by using recordings, readings and videos , activities that encourage them the use of the language. Praising learner can be very motivating, and always said learner how well they are doing.

Here is a slideshare link to see the differences between L1 and L2

http://es.slideshare.net/jalomi112/l1-and-l2-acquisition

For further information see:

• Homepage.ntlworld.com, (2014). Comparing First and Second Language Acquisition by Vivian Cook. [online] Available at: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/vivian.c/SLA/L1%20and%20L2.htm [Accessed 27 Nov. 2014].
• Jamaica., T. (2014). The Similarities and Differences between L1 and L2 acquisition and the Significance for Second Language Pedagogy in Jamaica.. [online] Academia.edu. Available at: http://www.academia.edu/5208843/The_Similarities_and_Differences_between_L1_and_L2_acquisition_and_the_Significance_for_Second_Language_Pedagogy_in_Jamaica [Accessed 27 Nov. 2014].

Unit 11

THE ROLE OF ERROR

Mistakes are and important part in language learning, they allows learners to experiment with the language and measure their success in communicating. Students make errors when they are working on the language unconsciously and they cannot correct themselves because they do not understand what is wrong. A slip is the result of tiredness or worry, and learners can correct themselves. There are two main reasons to make errors: 1) Interference.-influence from the learners´ first language on the second language. I.e. lexis or grammatical structures. 2) Working out. - Learners are unconsciously. I.e. developmental errors: learners overgeneralize rules for one item of the language to another item.Fossilised errors are errors which a learner does not stop making and which last for a long time, even for ever, their foreign language use.  

Here we have some tips to correct learners:

• Do not correct them in public or with negative expressions. I.e. that is not correct!. Instead model the correct usage of the word.
• While introducing new vocabulary, drill and model them the correct pronunciation, also practice choral repetition.
• Let students to correct themselves, or peer correction could be fine. 

Watch the video for further information:

The importance of making mistakes 

See more in these links:

• I-to-i.com, (2014). Correcting Errors | i to i. [online] Available at: http://www.i-to-i.com/correcting-errors.html [Accessed 26 Nov. 2014].
• BusyTeacher, (2014). How to Correct Mistakes. [online] Available at: http://busyteacher.org/3723-how-to-correct-mistakes.html [Accessed 26 Nov. 2014].

Unit 10

EXPOSURE AND FOCUS ON FORM

 

  

The best way of learning is by exposure. I.e. Parent expose children to the language when they are in their first years, Parents drill some words and show objects to their children to let them acquire their first language. Acquisition take place with a lot of exposure over a period of time without our realizing that we are learning,  especially if we have interaction with other people; it is necessary to use, to express the language to make our meaning clear  to others. Foreign language learners also need to focus on form not just in meaning. We learn language best by picking it up, by interacting with others and by focusing on form.

In the classroom as teacher we can:1. Select a variety of readings and recordings according to the level of the learners.2. Let learner role play situation where they can communicate in an freely way. 3. Let learner use technology  in order to listen and read something they found interesting 4. Practice pair and group work activities.Take in consideration: learners´ age, learning experiences, and learning styles when deciding how to teach.  Mistakes are allowed in this stage, learner learn from mistakes, let them talk in a freely way. 

For further information you can visit:

• Es.slideshare.net, (2014). Exposure and focus on form. [online] Available at: http://es.slideshare.net/albertamaro/exposure-and-focus-on-form [Accessed 26 Nov. 2014].
• Transparent.com, (2014). The Five Principles of Effective Second Language Acquisition. [online] Available at: http://www.transparent.com/about/second-language.html [Accessed 26 Nov. 2014].

Unit 9

Motivation

Key factor that helps make language learning successful 

Confidence, learner autonomy/independence and achievement, all are part of feeling good about learning a language. Managing to communicate in a foreign language can make us want to communicate more and better. Encourage and support helps us to realize the importance of learning a foreign language and give us emotional support as we learn. 

Nowadays we have many ways to motivate our students it is just a matter to be organize and imaginative to help student achieve their goals for that here we have some strategies: a)Show your enthusiasm in the subject and use appropriate, concrete and understandable examples to help students grasp it. b)Set short terms goals and celebrate when they are achieved. c)Recognize work in class, display good work in the classroom. d)Create an atmosphere that is open and positive but with respect. f)Give students the appropriate feedback for each task. f)And the most important. Do not forget to always say to student how well they did every day. 

If we think we are good at something, we want to do it.!

Find more information in :

• Antimoon.com, (2014). Motivation for learning English | Antimoon. [online] Available at: http://www.antimoon.com/how/motiv.htm [Accessed 26 Nov. 2014].
• Tesol.org, (2014). Motivating Language Learners to Succeed. [online] Available at: http://www.tesol.org/read-and-publish/journals/other-serial-publications/compleat-links/compleat-links-volume-5-issue-2-(june-2008)/motivating-language-learners-to-succeed [Accessed 26 Nov. 2014].
• Serc.carleton.edu, (2014). Motivating Students. [online] Available at: http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/affective/motivation.html [Accessed 26 Nov. 2014].
• YouTube, (2014). Student Engagement & Motivation Strategies & Tips.wmv. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9yOOwGYYfU [Accessed 26 Nov. 2014].