tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253373642075238826.post3774886196160782804..comments2023-07-12T13:29:16.833+03:00Comments on The Globetrotter Parent: Any TEFL teachers out there?The Globetrotter Parenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08305801540206827722noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253373642075238826.post-25216138321890388952012-05-09T07:10:39.992+03:002012-05-09T07:10:39.992+03:00Hello! Just wanted to give some input on EFL. I ca...Hello! Just wanted to give some input on EFL. I can't really speak for what happens in ESL, as I don't know anyone who works as an ESL teacher here in the US, but I can provide insight on EFL. My best friends' mother is an EFL teacher and they're actually moving away from focusing on grammar in the classroom. Instead the focus is now, which it should be, is learning vocabulary and using it in the classroom. <br /><br />While I was learning Italian at university, we were not allowed to revert to English at all. Anything we needed to communicate was to be done in English. If not, it was reflected in our grade. Which makes sense. Why take a foreign language course if you're not going to use it in class. However, I feel that, and maybe you agree, that grammar lessons cannot be entirely erased from lessons. If there's no learning of grammar, how can a student formulate a sentence? Our classes consisted of conversation exercises, some grammar, building on vocab. Those sort of things. Once I had a basic knowledge of sentence structure and had a firm grasp on a lot of vocab words, I took conversation courses. There was reading involved, like learning about italy's government structure and constitution in the more advanced courses taken, but it was mostly discussing daily topics on the readings or whatever else the teacher decided to have us debate upon. We also had to conduct presentations, with only notecards to jog our memories if we forgot something in our presentation. But really, no notecards were allowed to be used. <br /><br />Ideally it would be great to study abroad and immerse yourself in the language, but do to costs, it is understandable that not everyone has that opportunity.Passage to Italyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12456083847520460644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253373642075238826.post-91992855436318865632010-05-18T14:28:22.278+03:002010-05-18T14:28:22.278+03:00Thanks for sharing those differences with me. I am...Thanks for sharing those differences with me. I am new to this field :)<br /><br />Of course, too I hope there are many varieties of programs here in US. These programs I talk about are in my upstate NY area and are mostly funded by donations/tax money so the teachers have less freedom I suppose (Random guess, really) to teach as per the true needs of the students vs having to fulfill the requirements of the grant used to pay for the program (so it's free to the students).<br /><br />I agree, in communication (day-to-day speech) approach the students would naturally pick up grammar, this is kind of how kids learn, I suppose in the initial stages. The benefit of learning phrases and sentences is that this is the natural way of talking vs. random individual vocab words that need something to relate to - to make meaning!Jen Kumarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10735589129433554766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253373642075238826.post-26941966726810110252010-05-18T14:18:36.221+03:002010-05-18T14:18:36.221+03:00Hi Jennifer,
You have pointed out the difference b...Hi Jennifer,<br />You have pointed out the difference between English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and English as a Second Language (ESL). Immigrants to a new country are in an ESL situation as they are in an environment where English is not a foreign langauge. People who remain in their own country and just want to learn another language are in an EFL situation - English is a foreign language. <br /><br />With EFL, usually all the students in the class speak the dominant language of the country and it feels unnatural for them to speak a foreign language to one another. Hence, it is difficult to get them to talk to one another in English. <br /><br />In ESL situations, the students often have different mother tongues and therefore have no choice but to speak English to one another because that's their only common language.<br /><br />That's sad that ESL classes in the states do not involve students talking more. The communicative approach does not omit grammar, but we teach grammar in a communicative way that forces students to participate in the lesson.<br /><br />With regard to my daughter, yes that is an idea. She has her own activities though and she really does like me to accompany her to those (plus I do like going with her :-) ).The Globetrotter Parenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08305801540206827722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253373642075238826.post-37650719377434854122010-05-18T14:03:34.897+03:002010-05-18T14:03:34.897+03:00Sorry another thought... Here in US for ESL class ...Sorry another thought... Here in US for ESL class another fault is that there are no American native English speakers in that class. It makes sense because we Americans already 'know' how to speak English (though I could use some grammar help, quite honestly!). I am thinking on this line because, what if you could do a small 'class' for the kids- and add your daughter in as a native speaker? It may be fun for her and she'd be 'an expert!'. But, I was thinking maybe not to structure it like a class, but somehow like a play group. Just a thought. But I completely understand that teaching kids- the timings and your own schedule would not mesh.Jen Kumarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10735589129433554766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253373642075238826.post-78408382303146647662010-05-18T13:58:48.706+03:002010-05-18T13:58:48.706+03:00Thanks for sharing this - it's very interestin...Thanks for sharing this - it's very interesting.<br /><br />Do you think this happens (people not wanting to speak to each other in English) because English is not spoken on the 'street' or at home?<br /><br />Here in US I notice most ESL classes teach in lecture method. The students who are more advanced get restless in these classes, as one can only learn so much grammar. To top that, grammar doesn't get you far 'on the street' if you don't know how to talk English.<br /><br />Maybe needs of ESL students differ based on learning English in an English speaking country vs. one that is not?Jen Kumarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10735589129433554766noreply@blogger.com