Please comment on one or two of these statements about ESL using the template:
1. Most people think that learning English as a foreign student is a matter of ________, but I say: ____________.
2. I've heard that the biggest problem ESL students have is _______________, and I agree that _________________, but I say: __________________ .
3. Experts say the best way to learn a language is _______________, but I say: ___________________.
Most people think that learning English as a foreign language student is a matter of translation but I say that it is a matter of meaning and understanding. Through my research I have learned that students struggle with specific vocabulary and terminology in content areas because they do not even have the concept or term in their background at all. Therefore, there is not a clear translation from English to their native language. This concept seems so simple but I would have never thought that the student would not have the term in their native language. I thought that they would simply translate the term and definition and therefore understand.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that the biggest problem ESL students have is content area learning, and I agree that this is a major obstacle among ESL students, but I say understanding grammar usage is another large area of difficulty for these students. There are many exceptions to grammar rules in the English language and this can create confusion for ESL students. Grammar has a direct link to meaning; when incorrect grammar is used, it can lead to confusion. ESL students need to learn the exceptions to the rule in order to communicate effectively, and this can be very overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that the biggest problem ESL students have is communication, and I agree that communication is a problem, but I say: pronuntiation; specifically vowels are a deterent when trying to communicate. The English Language has so many rules when it comes to vowels and how to pronounce them either standing alone or as a vowel team. We as english speakers have difficulty remembering some of the rules. How do we expect ESL students to find it any easier.
ReplyDeleteI’ve heard that one of the biggest problems ESL students have is writing, and I agree that there is an extreme challenge for ESL writers, but I say that the use of articles in writing is one of the most difficult writing concepts for ESL learners. Many ESL students especially struggle with putting articles in front of nouns. Many other languages do not have this concept, so when learning the English language, ESL students often do not understand the placement of articles. Articles such as the, a, and an are often misplaced or even omitted in the writing of ESL learners. In many foreign languages there is no reference or literal translation for these articles, so it is often challenging to express this concept to ESL learners.
ReplyDeleteJoe LaGuardia posting this from Michelle Lanier:
ReplyDeleteMost people think that learning English as a foreign student is a matter of totally immersing themselves in the English language but I say: ESL learners should be encouraged to use their native language in the process of learning to ensure stress free and true comprehensive learning.
Ive heard that the biggest problem ESL students have is...Understanding grammar usuage(nouns,adjectives,verbs,ect..)and I agree that this is a very tough concept to teach and learn, and I would think that it would be even harder with the barrier of not fully understanding the written and spoken English language.
ReplyDeleteExperts say the best way to learn a language is consistency, you need to eat,sleep,breathe, the new language!But I say: I think if you are able to be around the spoken language and the culture to just immerse yourself in it. I also think that audio and video play a vital role in learning a new language.
Experts say the best way to learn a language is through total immersion in the language and culture, but I say it is important to allow ELs to acquire language in ways that help them celebrate their culture and pull from their experiences.
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