Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[river1974]

I think many people choose to go to cram schools to learn English. This situation is especially popular here in Taiwan. People learn English for different purposes. In most cram schools of Taiwan, English teaching is focusing on speaking. Usually, there are more than ten students in a class of two hours. This results in an unfavorible situation that there are only few time for each student to speak. Under such situation, some students choose to talk as much as possible without caring how other students feel. These students quickly respond to questions raised by the teacher even though they speak nonsense. Thus, other students, especially passive students, seldom get chances to speak up. Personally, I dislike such students even if they are good English speakers. I guess every student pays the same amount of tuition to learn English and thus has equal right to speak up in the class. Besides, one can also learn something from listening to different people's opinions. What do you think about this kind of English learners?

[obelix]

I think they are eager to learn English and trying very hard. However, if you are not happy with the way the teacher asks for replies to questions, you should speak up yourself and say so.
The teacher ought to encourage each student in the class in turn, so the fault is the teacher's .
In a 2 hour class of only ten people, each student should be speaking for approximately 12 minutes, minus whatever time the teacher takes.

[bud]

I agree. You can't blame students for trying to get the most for their money. It is the teacher's responsibility to be a gatekeeper so that all students get a chance.

[BMO]

"In most cram schools in Taiwan, English teaching is focusing on speaking."

Question. Which is correct?
1. English teaching focuses in speaking.
2. English teaching focuses on speaking.
3. English teaching is focused in speaking.
4. English teaching is focused on speaking.
5. Teaching should be plural.
6. No change. (I think this is the correct one but am not positive, hence the question.)

Would you please explain your answer.

Thanks.

[bud]

Both 2 ("focuses on speaking") and 4 are acceptable. Both use the simple present verb tense, which is the one to use for general truths or repetitious things. Both use 'focus on,' the usual preposition for 'focus.' It is a matter of personal choice whether to use 'focus' as the main verb (2) or as an adjective (4).

The original sentence uses the present continuous verb tense. That is a tense that is used for something that is occurring at the present time. While the meaning of the sentence would be understood, the grammar implies that the focus of the teaching will change sometime in the future. For example, did all of the cram schools decide that 2004 will be the year to focus on speaking, while 2005 will be the year to focus on listening? Obviously not - that's why the sentence would be understood - but the grammar suggests something like that.

'Teaching' is a concept in this sense of the word, so it doesn't take a plural. In this sentence, it is a generality that is a synonym for 'education,' which likewise would not take a plural.

Good instincts, BMO! You were right to have some doubts.

[BMO]

Thank you so much, bud, it is very clear.

BMO

[bud]

Thank YOU, BMO!

[river1974]

Thanks for sharing your opinions on this matter. I don't blame the students for talking too much. They have rights to talk freely in the class after paying the tuitions. Maybe the teacher should take the responsibilility for encourging each student to talk. Some teachers are just too lazy that they are not willing to change their teaching styles for students. Sometimes I think the so-called "free talking" is not a good way for learning languages, especially for passive students like Taiwanese.

[coffeedecafe]

" most english cram schools in taiwan teach english speaking." this would be a simpler sentence . simple is good.
one way to allow more english practice would be to have well known songs sung in unison so all can join in. this could be fun or funny. short stories could be recited together also. especially plays where people are talking back and forth something like normal talk.
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coffeedecafe

[river1974]

Usually, in most English cram schools for adults in Taiwan, we don't learn English by singing songs. Such "song-singing" teaching way only applies in English teaching for children. However, I really love listening English songs not noly for English learning but for my personal pleasure. My brother, who is majored in English literature, suggests that I should learn English by the way of "shadowing", which means to repeat words or sentences I hear from English radios, programs or the like. I think singing English songs is definitely a good way of "shadowing" and I will continue to keep this habit. Thanks for your advice.

[coffeedecafe]

yes that sounds good. i think shadowing probably provides more words and phrases as tools to understand other programs and conversations that you hear for the first time. it is not a perfect tool. no one talks like john wayne all the time, but it is still helpful and fun.
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coffeedecafe

[bigdave]

A "Cram" Classroom setting provides a format for teaching English that can really get the students talking and then break up into smaller groups for practice. It is harder to develop topics with only one student and get a good discussion going. They both have their pros and their cons.
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Sincerely,
David

P.S. Advice to students who are frustrated and unhappy with their progress in language learning. http://www.esl-education-network-online.com/SpeedEnglish