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Augustus · Joined: 16 Oct 2012 Posts: 105

Hello,

I've come across a question on an application form asking me reflect on your own experience(s) of language learning. Describe and evaluate these experiences and suggest ways in which it (or they) could have been improved.

I'm not sure what they are looking for in this question really - partly that can I empathise with learners but otherwise I'm not sure.

Aug

fluffyhamster · Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2012 7:31 pm Post subject:

I'd assume they're asking you to relate how awful your French or Spanish or whatever language classes were when you were a schoolkid, and how much better Communicative Language Teaching or whatever your potential employer is pushing (the former of which you'll learn something about during the CELTA course) is compared to that.

Of course, if you('ve) actually manage(d) to learn a foreign language to a non-trivial level, whether by yourself or in classes somewhere, you could possibly tell them about that too, and what worked or seems to work for you, but try not to sound too much like e.g. a grammar freak (what with all the book recommendations in your other thread! Wink

).

Augustus · Joined: 16 Oct 2012 Posts: 105

That's great. I will try to keep that in mind when I complete that part of the application.

I've completed the entire three pages of application tasks but am struggling with one question ......

Correct the following typical mistakes; explain the mistake in terms of grammar.

Sarah drinks in the bar at the moment. - not sure how this is wrong

I am liking this course. -- should be enjoying or I enjoy but I dont know how to explain why its wrong.

Aug

johnslat · Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2012 9:42 pm Post subject:

Dear Augustus,

It should be "Sarah is drinking in the bar at the moment"

The present simple tense (Sarah drinks) usually indicates a usual action (e.g. Sarah drinks in the bar every night) whereas the present continuous /progressive tense indicates an action going on right now (i.e. "at the moment") or a "not usual" action.

I am liking - should be "I like this course." The problem here is that "like" is a "non- continuous" (or non-progressive) verb. It is not used in any of the continuous/progressive tenses, only in the simple tenses.

Regards,
John

fluffyhamster · Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2012 12:40 am Post subject:

I misread the 'Sarah' as 'Sasha' LOL. Makes a change for it to be a bar and not a park bench! Very Happy

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2012 8:05 am Post subject:

Sigh... Fluffy, get it right - first is coming the bar drinking, and next is coming the park bench. Doesn't work the other way round. A very good example of a non-commutative property : )

To the OP, that is not a linguistic term: don't search for it!

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2012 8:19 am Post subject:

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

While I enjoyed reading Fluffy Hamster's cynical take on this, I think the point is to provoke insight into the needs of learners.