I think it all comes down to what type of person you are. Yes, the vast majority of people need to be told what to do and how to do it. However, a small percentage of people are able to figure out what exactly they want and how they can get it. If I decide to learn a language, I can develop my own system which suits my current situation and goals. I don't have to go to a class where a teacher tells me what I should do because after all it's me who has to do all the activities, not the teacher.
Actually, I do want to live up to my username and that's exactly why I have been expressing my thoughts here. As I said, most people think that the classroom is the only way they can learn a language properly when it fact, it's probably not. Still, they think so because that what everybody else says. Especially the teachers because otherwhise they would lose their jobs. Let's say, there is one person who has learned a second or third language on their own and they tell his fellow students, that the classroom is very not very effective. As I said, the classroom experience is also important because it helps you come to the conclusion that there must be better ways of learning a language. But back to our fellow students. This person tells them that is possible to learn a language (including formal and informal grammar which was the initial topic) without a teacher.
So more people would gain confidence in their own capabilities. They would no longer think that learning English is difficult and frustrating. Come on, let's face reality. If you walk into an average classroom and ask the kids whether or not they think learning English is fun, what will most of them say? And then ask them about their experiences with "formal grammar teaching". How many do you think will say they like being taught English gammar?
Teaching Formal Grammar?
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Metamorfose
- Posts: 345
- Joined: Mon Jul 21, 2003 2:21 pm
- Location: Brazil
And if we changed the word teacher for trendier ones like facilitator for example?
I guess a good teacher would (and does) show their students what to reach, how to reach, what grammar books they can rely on, what techniques are more efficient when they have to grasp something, and the like. Sometimes people do want to learn/know something but they still need a guide, someone who shows them what not to do at least. I and most growing teacher I know, try our best to do this when in classroom.
José
I guess a good teacher would (and does) show their students what to reach, how to reach, what grammar books they can rely on, what techniques are more efficient when they have to grasp something, and the like. Sometimes people do want to learn/know something but they still need a guide, someone who shows them what not to do at least. I and most growing teacher I know, try our best to do this when in classroom.
José