Learning Reflections 13 of Seminar in English Language Teaching

Learning Reflections 13

Seminar in English Language Teaching

 

Yesterday, my group and I discussed about Current Trends and Issues in English Language Education in Asia.

We summarized in 10 Key words;

1.       The starting Grade of English Language Education

English language education starts at first grade in 11 nations/regions, which means that students study English for about 10-13 years in these regions, excluding tertiary English education. The nations/regions where English is taught from first grade are all of the

ESL countries except for Taipei. The results of the survey reveal that most of the Asian countries/regions start English language education from first grade, which is earlier than most of the European countries

 

2.       Curriculum class hours

English class hours in Thailand are larger than the other Asian countries.

 

3.       National English Curriculum

The results of the survey reveal that all the 18 Asian countries/regions have a national curriculum for primary or secondary English.

-          The national curriculum covers first-grade English to the highest high school grade English in the countries/regions where English is introduced from first grade (e.g., Hong Kong, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan).

-          In Pakistan, interestingly, the national curriculum covers up to the graduate level.

-          In Korea, China, Israel, Vietnam, Iran, Japan, Indonesia, and Taiwan the national curriculum covers from the grade where English is introduced to the end of secondary education.

-          Chinese national curriculum covers up to college English

-          India is where the curriculum can be revised depending on locally available cultural and natural resources.

 

4.       School Textbook

-          English textbooks reveal that primary and secondary English textbooks are national or government-authorized commercial, especially for state-run or public schools, in 12 Asian nations

-          English textbooks seem open to free competition of commercial books.

-          Each university selects a commercial textbook or develops its own textbook, teachers or English-related departments develop their own teaching materials.

-          English textbooks are selected by national or regional governments or governmental agencies.

-          At universities, English textbooks are mostly selected by universities, academics of universities (including department) or school boards

 

5.       Teaching English Through English

-          English is taught in English.

-          English is taught in Mother tongue.

 

6.       The Use of Computer for English Language Education

-          The computer is used for English language education in most of the Asian nations/regions surveyed, except for Japan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, and Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, This

trend may be closely related to ICT development in each Asian country.

-          Most of the Asian countries utilize CDs or CD-ROMs (often developed for

-          the textbooks),  power point (PPT) and

-          The Internet is also commonly used in six nations/regions

-          Computer is used for studying, teaching and testing.

 

7.       The University Entrance Examination

 -          Most of the Asian countries/regions surveyed have a nation-wide university entrance examination.

-          Some countries do not administer a nationwide university entrance examination such as Malaysia, the Philippines, India and Pakistan.

 

8.       English Teachers

-          Primary English is taught by English specialty teachers in seven nations/regions, while it is taught by generalists in five nations.

-          English teachers should be native English-speaking teachers but It’s less a chance  to have native speaker to teach in Asia school.

 

9.       Tertiary English Education

-          All the Asian nations/regions surveyed have general English courses at universities, except  some countries.

 

10.   English-medium Subjects

-          English is used as the medium of instruction in non-language classes across school levels in four Asian nations where English is used a second language.

Next, Professor taught about 21st century skills and Major Trends in the Global ELT Field.
 

21st century skills

 

Major Trends in the Global ELT Field

Trend 1: Changing perspectives on English teaching and learning

Trend 2: Changes in goals of English teaching and learning

Trend 3: Changes in approaches to teaching

Trend 4: Changes in teaching content, curriculum design, and assessment

Trend 5: Expanding the dimension of communicative competence

Trend 6: Changing views of an effective English educator

Trend 7: Rapid development and integration of information technology in ELT

Trend 8: Changing roles and increasing responsibilities of teachers

 

I find easy that is 21st century skills because I have learned in other subject already, and Current Trends and Issues in English Language Education in Asia because I read it before.

I find different that is Major Trends in the Global ELT Field because I never read it before.

This day, the weather was very hot. So, I am not very concentrated as it should be.

 

 

 

 

 

Learning Reflections 12 of Seminar in English Language Teaching

 

Learning Reflections 12

Seminar in English Language Teaching

 

     I learned about "Computer Assisted Language Learning: an Introduction" by Mark Warschauer. Professor taught me that;

 

1. Three phases of call

              1.1 Behavioristic CALL

                   - implemented in the 1960s and '70s.

                   - based on the then-dominant behaviorist theories of learning

                   - repetitive language drill and can be referred to as "drill and practice" 

                   - computer as tutor

                         rationale is as follows:

                         - Repeated exposure

                         - provide immediate non-judgmental

                         - proceed at own pace and freeing up for other activities

              1.2 Communicative CALL

                   - based on the communicative approach

                         focus more on using forms, teaches grammar implicitly, encourage students to generate original utterances, does not judge and evaluate everything the students nor reward them, avoids telling students they are wrong, uses the target language and create an environment, never try to do anything that a book can do.

                  - several types of CALL programs were developed and used during

                  - programs to provide skill practice. but in a non-drill format.

                  - the third model of computers

                          - the computer remains the "knower-of-the-right"

                          - the computer as workhorse

                          - computer as a tool

 

1.3(1)  Step toward integrative CALL: multimedia

                  - based on two important technological developments of the last decade

                           - multimedia computer and the internet

                           - Multimedia technology- by the CD-ROM- allows a variety of media

1.3(2)  Step toward integrative CALL: the internet

           1.3(2).1 The World Wide Web

           1.3(2).2 Computer Mediated Communication (CMC)

                         - This communication can be asynchronous (not simultaneous)

                         - can be asynchronous (asynchronous, "real time" )

                         - one-to-one communication, but also one-to-many

 

I can find easy that I can understand the contents because professor taught clearly. I am not find any difficult point.

 

My attitude;

 

I am really appreciate to my professor that console me and give consolations. This time is very hard. You can see my point and understand everything; It made me cry in that time. I'm really thankful. Thank you very much