Miss, I think I’m learning English the wrong way!

Is there such a thing as a wrong way to learn English?

One adult student I had thought there was – and that he was learning English the wrong way for a long time, before finally ‘cracking’ it. Just before he went on to finally pass the TOEFL test after about 5 or more tries, he blurted out his realization in class one day. “Miss, I think I was learning (English) the wrong way.” And at that point, I couldn’t have agreed with him more.

So in case you are one of those who feel like you are “stuck” in your learning of the English language, or have been at your nth try at TOEFL or any other standardized test of English, stay on. I might have a solution for you!

If you’re a teacher of English and is finding some solutions for your students who seem unable to fully master English for exams or to pass standardized test of English like the TOEFL, the IELTS, etc, stay on. I probably have a solution for you.

So what is the wrong way of learning English?

From many readings I’ve done over the years, from my own experiences learning English as a second language, and from my teaching experiences the last 15 years of my career in international education, I am of the opinion that still, many teachers and learning institutions advocate rote memorization as a way of learning vocabulary (and learning English).

In international schools in Thailand, many of our Japanese and Korean students go to cram school right after school, 5 times a week if they are near their graduation time. The reason? They have to “cram”, literally, for university entrance examination in their home countries. The general practice includes a long list of words, which the students have to memorize. According to the kids, this is a way that they are prepared for TOEFL as well as for entrance tests to universities.

However, looking back into what, to me, were ‘effective’ ways to learn English, memorization of long lists of words just does not pave the way to success. At least, not in what most of the students I’ve had experienced.

What does work?

One important method, which is also advocated by many English language teaching practitioners is learning vocabulary through context. Now, while many of us in the field of teaching may know this like the back of our hand, sometimes, it takes some time for our students to fully grasp its meaning.

While exposing our learners to skills books that teach vocabulary through context, I have always felt there has to be an even better way to it. First, for instance, our students have to OWN their learning. And that their learning of English vocabulary has to be a constant companion, even in their sleep, when it is necessary. As was the case with that adult student I had who was ‘learning English the wrong way’.

The key is in a very simple 3-step program that involves the student’s choice, a manual task, and an environment where the student can “share” his choices and where he gets feedback for his efforts. Once this 3-step program is followed, the learning of English takes on a new meaning for the student. And based on experience, paves the way to more success and towards “owning” one’s learning of the language.

On Friday, we shall give you this 3-step program, which could help you in your learning of the English language, or help your students find the right way to master English! Stay tuned!

Here’s Part 2 of this article: http://www.heddatan.com/the-3-steps-writing-program-build-vocabulary-2.html

Tags: Bad English Practice, featured, International School Teaching in Thailand, Learn English in Wrong Way, Learning English the WRONG way, Ways To Learn English, Words that show the wrong position, Wrong English Practice

Category: Lesson Plans, Reading