| A New Approach Every Decade | | | | From learning to skate to getting a Black Belt, this is a |
| It seems with every decade a new approach or | | | | preferred method for many physical skills. When |
| theory of English or other foreign language learning | | | | learners attend a formal class this method is being |
| comes into vogue. Keeping up can be daunting, even | | | | incorporated too.o Taking a course from a |
| exasperating for TEFL English teachers worldwide. | | | | knowledgeable person or source |
| Each of us has our own environment and particular | | | | For study and learning of abstract knowledge like the |
| situation in regards to materials, facilities, time | | | | arts, language or music, most people would tend to |
| constraints, knowledge, training, skills and abilities among | | | | use this method. At some point or another most |
| other venues. Let's not even talk about administrative | | | | learners do attend a class in the target language, |
| demands. Despite these, there are some | | | | especially in the USA, England, Canada or Australia |
| commonalities. Our EFL / ESL learners all want the | | | | where English is the first language of the people.o |
| same thing in varying degrees - to develop English | | | | Keep trying and failing until the action, sequence or |
| language skills. | | | | information is "acquired" |
| So first, let's consider some ways people can learn | | | | Whether growing a new business or learning to ice |
| new information or develop new skills and abilities. | | | | skate, this is one way, albeit a painful one at times, to |
| Regardless of currently accepted approaches or | | | | learn a new skill. In acquiring speaking and listening |
| theory some aspects are staple and constant. There | | | | comprehension skills, learners need to continually try |
| are, essentially, nine ways students learn new | | | | and "fail" in the production and comprehension efforts.o |
| information or develop new skills. These key methods | | | | Following guidelines or instructions on how to do |
| are:o Observing someone else, then copying their | | | | something |
| actions | | | | Want to build your own computer? Assemble a model |
| We all know this one. It made millions for Arthur Murray | | | | plane, car or boat? Hit a straight drive or bowl a 300? |
| and numerous other dance instructors. We watch, and | | | | Most likely you've used this method with electronics or |
| then we try until the movements are fluid and natural | | | | in assembling a toy, a framework, and a piece of |
| looking. It takes two to Tango in more ways than one. | | | | furniture or something like a tent. In a language |
| Ever watch an infant? As you coo and talk to him / | | | | pronunciation segment, learners follow speech |
| her, they watch your mouth intently. Later, they'll try to | | | | reproduction guidelines to improve their sound |
| mimic you and other speakers. It works, of course. | | | | production accuracy. |
| After all, YOU can talk quite well now, can't you?o | | | | Think about each of these methods or approaches |
| Practicing doing something on our own | | | | and I'm sure you'll come up with some skill, ability or |
| Actually, I learned to play rudimentary chess this way, | | | | knowledge you obtained using several of them. You'll |
| practicing by "playing" against myself for hours on end. | | | | likely also note that different types and kinds of skills |
| Many fishermen learn and develop their skills using this | | | | required different approaches on your part. You likely |
| method as well. For language learning, students could | | | | tried to learn something in one way, failed, and then |
| try using CDs, tapes, videos or mimicking speakers live, | | | | tried another approach or two successfully. So keep |
| on TV or radio.o Having a personal instructor or trainer | | | | learning. Keep growing and Good Luck. |