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imbabyj · Joined: 28 Nov 2004 Posts: 15 Location: mexico

I wanted to get some feedback on what teachers think about this method. We have been using a variation of this method in Nayarit for a few years. I have seen success in language aquisition as well as amazing changes in personality and confidence. The following is written by Ricardo Shultz.

MOD EDIT

http://www.sk.com.br/sk-mthen.html

MO39 · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 5:49 pm Post subject:

There are many points you bring up that I agree with - the psychological/emotional component of language learning and using the students' interests to make the classes more effective, for example. However, the need for the instructor to have some command of the students' first language and for the groups to be small and homogeneous make the use of this approach impractical for most language schools.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

I think the basic premise that language has to be acquired has to be true as that is how we learn our own language. There are many debates about the best method of learning languages and the debate will go on. One problem is that human nature makes it difficult for the teach to sustain such a method class after class when the workload leads him to take inevitable short-cuts, such as relying purely on written materials. I think many teachers here will recognize that situation.

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

imbabyj wrote:

imbabyj · Joined: 28 Nov 2004 Posts: 15 Location: mexico

Aah Samantha the blogger police captured me again. Yes it is Ricardo Shutz and I just havent figured out how to do the two dots over the u. But, I see you have mastered that skill (maybe you can show me that). I guess I need a little more work on my computer skills. The last part I did change person to teacher since that was what he was referring to. I wanted to cut it short. I wasn't sure if they were going to let me put the whole thing up. I saw a word limit and that the article may be edited so I tried to include my points. I left some other parts out as well. To see the article in full its http://www.sk.com.br/sk-mthen.html Thank you anyways on your take of the article and the method it was very informational.

imbabyj · Joined: 28 Nov 2004 Posts: 15 Location: mexico

Phil K... I see your point about workloads. That is why we have the material set up beforehand so that the teacher or myself can focus his time and energy on the class at hand and not on writing the lessons. The students have written the themes that they would like to discuss for the year in front of us. This ensures they are learning what interests them along with the language aquisition. We have all the information set up so the teachers can focus on teaching this method and not writing lesson plans daily. Not to long ago one of the students wanted to learn about the holocaust. It can be very amazing the ideas that you can add to the class when you dont have to write it. We had real video from the holocaust in concentration camps. Anyways, by the end of class students were in tears and it was extremely amazing to see what they were able to take from the class that not only benefited their language aquisition but also reaching their emotions. I look forward to more responses. I have a class now but would like more ideas and thoughts. Maybe some examples of ways you have reached students.

MELEE · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:13 pm Post subject:

IMHO
The most important thing to take away from this approach is that the language is learned when the learner creates a personal relationship with the language. If students do not do this, they will likely get stuck at a lower-intermediate level.

GueroPaz · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 216 Location: Thailand or Mexico

This reminds me of the differences between individual tutoring and large or medium size classes. One of my brightest 6th graders cannot grasp functions and slopes because the haughty math teacher in her international school refuses to slow down for the non-native speakers. I am still catching up after neglecting this kind of math for over 40 years, but she still likes my tutoring because I am compassionate. I let my students bring up nearly any subject, because in the discussion, we speak more English as they wish to discuss an interesting topic. My profesores in Nicaragua taught me best when we discussed their wars or my pacifismo.

Even in classes of over 25 students, you can reach individuals by empathy, and understanding. Or am I off topic?

imbabyj · Joined: 28 Nov 2004 Posts: 15 Location: mexico

Gueropaz... I feel that your on the mark in that in any class large or small... students can be reached through interesting topics, sympathy, and compassion. I think when the teacher can open themselves up to the students and show emotion, life experiences (good and bad), and that you are a real person like them you relate on a whole new level. I feel that they will open up as well and that you have created the perfect environment for learning. I feel we need to learn about each student so that they are an individual which at first can be difficult but with time becomes easier. Obviously, in a larger group it is much easier if they are intermediate or advanced to use this method because it can lead to some great debates that are emotionally charged. With beginners I think there is a need for more structure in classes but I feel they can still be reached on a psychological level that will encourage them to have a personal relationship with the language like MELEE said.