5 Techniques to Effectively Teach English as a Second Language - Essay Sample

Introduction

Undoubtedly, teaching English in a set up where it is the second language of the learners can be a demanding task for any educator irrespective of the qualifications. In most cases, the tutors have to cope with the learners' inability to comprehend most of the words and even write them down. As such, the precise integration of knowledge, skills, and patients is critical when educating the learners. After watching the five videos by the English educators, I realized that numerous methods could be used to improve the learning experience of students whose first language is not English. For instance, engaging the students during the lessons through activities like asking questions, creating visuals, and applying technology make the English learning process simple and enjoyable to the student. The engagement also creates an ample platform for the students to express themselves freely and how they comprehend the English language.

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Also, the tutor should be able to apply the native language in explaining words or contents that may pose a challenge to the learners. In most instances, the native language provides an excellent foundation for students to learn new languages effectively. Hence, as an English educator, it is crucial to let often students preview the concepts in their native language before teaching the concepts in English and clarifying them using the native language. In the process, the memory of the learners is immensely boosted, making the learning process simple.

The tutor needs to master the content of the course perfectly before delivering it to the learners. Ideally, the mastery of the content aids the tutor in observing proper voice projection, leading to clarity, which may dramatically improve the learners' learning experience. The nature of voice projection by the tutor greatly dictates how the students translate, process the words in their native language, and translate them back to English. Thus, the teacher's qualification and experience, particularly in content delivery, play a vital role in dictating the students' understanding.

How To Improve Expressions From The Videos

Generally, the five presenters made great presentations, engaging, and capturing the attention of their viewers. Furthermore, the presentations resonated with my needs with a vivid storyline that immensely helped me comprehend some relatively complex contents. However, I believe that some expressions in the videos could have been improved. For example, the videos did not properly emphasize the need to adequately prepare for a lesson in advance regardless of how good one is. Most teachers' failure to undertake prior preparations and conduct research on various concepts in English greatly compromise their ability to conduct a valuable lesson effectively.

Furthermore, the presenters talked about the teacher maintaining simplicity, particularly the selection of words while teaching them. I believe that language through language simplicity, clarity is achieved during the lessons. In return, both learners and teachers can minimize grammar errors, which may result in poor learning. Language simplicity makes it easy for the learners to quickly compare the words to their native language, hence simplifying learning.

According to the presenters, teachers should be able to cultivate meaningful relationships and remain culturally responsive to their students to teach a new language to the students properly. When students feel loved, known, and appreciated, they tend to push themselves to the limit in an attempt to impress their teachers and meet their goals. This is essential in ensuring the learners develop and embrace the new language that they are learning since the environment is supportive.

Relating Challenges of learning English to Use of Online Distance Learning

Like any other discipline, English demands both the teachers and learners to overcome numerous challenges. The challenges get even more worse in situations where the learners are required to use the online distance learning (ODL). Some of these challenges include learners being under high pressure to perform well in English. For ages, English has always been used to gauge the intelligence level of learners from countries where English is used as a second language. As a result, the learners tend to learn the language to pass the exams rather than learn to understand the concepts of the word.

The use of online distance learning has contributed to most learners lacking the motivation to learn the English language. Ideally, the online platform does not provide the teacher with the necessary platform to comprehend the students' learning needs and abilities. Consequently, the teacher is unable to handle properly and motivate the students due to a lack of physical contact between the student and the teacher.

Teachers find it relatively hard to comprehensively compile a series of videos for the purpose of online distance learning. Most of the videos require the use of applications like screen-O-Matic, which require skills and knowledge. Moreover, the process of preparing the videos is time-consuming, especially when the group is large. Also, the videos may be of no help to students who lack access to the internet and lack the necessary tools for online learning like computers. This begs the question, should second languages like English be taught online?