Teacher Discussion Forums

In the end, whether we learn English in an EFL or ESL environment, does it really matter? I mean, does it really make that much of a difference in terms of acquiring the language more successfully? I believe that an ESL context would allow a more accelerated path of acquiring proficiency in English....

I was wondering if any senior teachers here had any ideas that I could use or implement in doing some research for a thesis topic with university level Asian EFL learners. I was thinking about something that I could do over 2 semesters with first and second year non-English major university EFL stud...

For the Record Monash University - Master of Applied Linguistics 6 courses for Master of Applied Linguistics. 3 courses a semester. :shock: There are countries which do not recognize Australian M.A. degrees obtained at distance - Taiwan, United Arab Emirates. So, it's impossible to obtain a work per...

JuliaM Wrote: Actually, it was at USQ that this was a requirement. Failure to be able to do a practicum meant not being able to complete the course. And it is definitely for credit . Julia, the practicum is NOT definitely for credit and doing a practicum is NOT required to pass the M.A. TESOL / Appl...

Well, I really do disagree with you Julia. 8 courses is a certificate program at a community college in Canada. That's 2 semesters or 1 academic year. Which schools are these reputable distance / on-line degrees offered at in Canada? 8 months to do a Masters degree is a sham. Australian universities...

Also, there is nothing on your transcript or testamur that says what the study mode is/was, so if you choose not to tell prospective employers, then they should be none the wiser. In essence, it IS worth the paper it's printed on - I have a supervisory role in a leading ESL school that I got on the...

Hi,

Your on-line or distance degree will NOT be recognized in TAIWAN either.

I also understand that some universities hiring foreign English teachers may discriminate against degrees obtained by distance.

Be careful with distance degrees.

The case of Genie isn't really applicable to the learning of a second language as she hasn't learned language at all. There may well be a critical period to acquire language but that's not the same thing. Good points, for sure. But why do so many SLA books / courses bring "Genie" up in discussions ...

I've read a few studies that either suggest or outright claim to have found evidence of a critical period for language learning in both humans and songbirds (ie. the acquisition of certain grammatical features and phonological features). I believe that children, over time, make better language learn...

Does Krashen refute that people have a 'critical period' for language learning?

Also, how relevant is his 'Comprehension Hypothesis?'

Has he provided much evidence for his claims and have other scholars agreed with his assertions?

Dialects are not good or bad, nice or nasty, right or wrong - they are just different from one another, and it is the mark of a civilised society that it tolerates different dialects just as it tolerates different races, religions and sexes P. Trudgill Yeah, I know what you mean about some of the J...

Thanks. I'm just trying to put together a short paper comparing and contrasting first and second language acquisition. I was just interested in hearing from any linguists or EFL'ers working in the field that could offer me some direction and info on additional sources. Since posting my question, I p...

What are the differences/similarities between first and second language acquisition?

Can anyone here refer me to any pertinent sources on this topic?

Thks.

James:

I sent you a pm - I have a list of Linguistics sites you can use to ask questions re your course work.

Good luck!

I think I might have it kind of figured out.
It took me a few nights and several searches using google but I found a source that helped a bit.
Here is one of the sources I used in case you're interested.

http://www.edict.com.hk/vlc/funcgrammar ... ologue.htmThanks.