One of the biggest challenges in teaching or learning a second or a foreign language is in mastering its sound patterns. This challenge is most acute as far as learning how to speak English is concerned; more so due to the absence of any set rules in pronouncing English sounds. With no concrete rules to … Continue reading Practising English Sounds to Overcome Mother Tongue Influence
Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in a mixed ability environment can be quite a challenge for the ESL teacher. Not only is the teacher bogged down with the responsibility of imparting English as a skill in her learners, she is also expected to juggle with the varied needs and requirements of learners with … Continue reading Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in a Mixed Ability Environment
One of the biggest challenges for a teacher of English as a Second Language (ESL) is imparting the spoken English skill in her students. These students who could be first generation learners of English are likely to lack even basic vocabulary needed to express themselves. The challenge for imparting this skill becomes even more daunting … Continue reading Teaching Vocabulary and English as a Second Language
Assessment of Speaking and Listening (ASL), an initiative of CBSE has been in operation in all its affiliated schools since 2012. The ASL test was formulated to ensure that the importance of listening and speaking skills of learners is emphasised at schools. With this test designed to be conducted as Summative Assessment, the board aims … Continue reading Preparing for Assessment of Speaking and Listening
One of the biggest challenges that an English language teacher faces is the disinterest of some students in learning English. Though this is seemingly a non-urban problem, its prevalence can nevertheless not be denied. The ever so enthusiastic teacher is thus left high and dry, with all her zeal to impart learning rendered futile. The … Continue reading Creating Love for the English Language
Language learning and interaction are strongly linked with each other. Of the four language learning skills, listening and speaking are perhaps the most important if proficiency in communicative skills in a particular language has to be achieved. This is why interactive sessions using role play or group discussion is highly recommended as a language teaching … Continue reading Relation between Language learning and Interactive Activities
Teaching formal grammar helps in making such learners aware about the structures and patterns in the target language. This awareness enables them to pay attention to the form and structure of the target language and notice their own speech patterns that have been internalized in the said language. This exposure to ‘formal grammar’ teaching – … Continue reading Is teaching grammar to ESL (English as a Second Language) learners important?
“Tongue twisters are a great way to practise pronunciation. A common knowledge with teachers of most languages, these short and difficult to pronounce lines are often used by English teachers to help meet the pronunciation needs of the learners. They are especially helpful in teaching-learning pronunciation when catering to specific phonemes or sounds. When practised … Continue reading Tongue Twisters and Enhancing Pronunciation
Elicitation is the technique that a teacher uses to make learners to participate actively in the classroom. When he/she is asking questions instead of providing information to the learners, he/she is eliciting.
One of the most common misconceptions of English language teaching is that the learners should be corrected right when they are speaking the language. It is generally understood that the English as a Second Language (ESL) learners will benefit more if their errors are immediately pointed out when they are speaking in the target language … Continue reading Should ESL Learners be Corrected When They are Speaking English?