Reflect learning of Seminar in English Language of Teaching

Reflect learning of Seminar in English Language of Teaching

Today is a last day for Seminar in English Language Teaching Course. We have a final examination. But teacher summarized the journal about Sociocultural Theory before testing. 

For this semester I learned : 

• Global English
• Context of English Language Teaching
• Factors affecting English Language Teaching and Learning
• Problems of English Language Teaching
• ICT and English Language Teaching and Learning
• Trends in ELT
• Seminar presentation

I find difficult that the most of article always use the academic vocabulary, so I have to translate these word into Thai language. It takes more time for reading. 

I find easy that teacher allow us to discuss in group, that can help us to more understand about reading, and teacher helps us to summarized the concept of the reading clearly. 

I think I have to read more information for seminar in classroom, and I have to learn more vocabulary for reading the article.

I think this course lets us to read more article and it provide the important knowledge for my teaching in the future.

Learning Reflections 15 Seminar in English Language Teaching

Today, we learned about Communicative approaches.

 Communicative approaches were influenced by functional linguistics.
-Goal
To enable learners to develop communicative competence in order to use the target language in communication.
-Teacher’s role
Been and Candlin specifics a variety of role:

•   Facilitator
•   Interdependent participant
•  organizer of resources, a resource, and a guide
•   Researcher

Richard and Rodger

• Analyst
• Counselor
• Group process manages

Learner-centeredness  has four central characteristics:

1.       Learner participant in the whole process of the course content and selecting learning procedures

2.       Learner participant in the design of language activities

3.       Learner are encouraged to take responsibility to a great degree of their learning

4.       Enhancing learner autonomy

Constraints of CLT

-          Focus on fluency over accuracy

-          Learner and teacher roles

-          Cultural appropriacy: ESL and EFL

-          Student’s lack of target language exposure

-          Traditional teaching and learning culture

-          Teacher expertise and student English proficiency level

-          Lack of learning resource/ support

-          Class size

Teacher assign us to read about Sociocultural Theory of Vygotsky and  “ The relevance and implications of Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory in the second language classroom of MAMOUR CHOUL TURUK”.

I think there are the best method for everyone, so teacher have to use the method to teach study in appropriate way. 

Learning Reflections 14 Seminar in English Language Teaching

Today, We discuss about “The end of CLT: a context approach to language teaching of Stephen Bax” 

We found that : Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) has served the language teaching profession well for many years. The benefits of an emphasis on communication are widely accepted in principle by professionals everywhere.  Communicative Language Teaching recognize that the learning context, including learner variables, is the key factor in successful language learning.
CLT's main focus is on communication in various ways.

Then, professor taught me about Major trends in the Global ELT Field. She summarized that;

Trends 1 : Changing perspectives on English teaching and learning

Trends 2: Changes in goals of English teaching and learning

Trends 3: Changes in approaches to teaching

Trends 4: Changes in teaching content, curriculum design, and assessment

 Trends 5: Expanding the dimension of communicative competence

Trends 6: Changing views of an effective English educator
          
Trends 7: Rapid development and integration of information technology in ELT

Trends 8: Changing roles and increasing responsibilities of teachers

Learning Reflections 13 Seminar in English Language Teaching

Today, we learned about "Current Trends and Issues in English Language Education in Asia". Then, we discussed about it.

We discussed about 10 Key words but I will show you some example;

1) The starting Grade of English Language Education

English language education starts at first grade in 11 nations/regions, which means that students study English for about 10-13 years in these regions, excluding tertiary English education.

2) English Class Hours

In Thailand, English is taught from first grade and English class hours are larger than the other Asian countries in EFL context.

3) National English Curriculum

The results of the survey reveal that all the 18 Asian countries/regions have a national curriculum for primary or secondary English.

4)School Textbook
 primary and secondary English textbooks are national or government-authorized commercial, especially for state-run or public schools, in 12 Asian nations

5)Teaching English Through English
    -    English is taught in English.
    -    English is taught in Mother tongue.

Next, we learned about 21st century skills and Major Trends in the Global ELT Field.

Major Trends in the Global ELT Field

Trend 1: Changing perspectives on English teaching and learning

Trend 2: Changes in goals of English teaching and learning

Trend 3: Changes in approaches to teaching

Trend 4: Changes in teaching content, curriculum design, and assessment

Trend 5: Expanding the dimension of communicative competence

Trend 6: Changing views of an effective English educator

Trend 7: Rapid development and integration of information technology in ELT

Trend 8: Changing roles and increasing responsibilities of teachers

I think the 21st century skills is the important lesson because it can help us to prepare ourselves.  

Learning Reflections 12 Seminar in English Language Teaching

Learning Reflections 12 Seminar in English Language Teaching
Today, We learned about "Computer Assisted Language Learning: an Introduction" by Mark Warschauer.

There are three phases of CALL

1) Behavioristic CALL
    -Based on the then-dominant behaviorist theories of learning
    -Entailed repetitive language drills and referred to as " drill and practice"
    -Practiced is Based on the model of computer as tutor : repeated exposure to the same material is beneficial, A computer is ideal for carrying out repeated drills, A computer can present such material on and individualized basis.

2) Communicative CALL
   -Based on communicative approach to teaching
   -focus more on using forms
   -teaches grammar implicitly 
   -encourage students to generate original utterances
   -does not judge and evaluate everything the students nor reward them
   -avoids telling students they are wrong
   -uses the target language and create an environment
   - never try to do anything that a book can do
   - Third model of computer in communicative CALL : computer as a tool, computer as a tutosr, computer as a stimulus.

3) Step toward integrative CALL: multimedia  and Step toward integrative CALL: the internet

I find easy that if we are familiar with the lesson , we will understand the contents easily.



            

Learning Reflections 10 of Seminar in English Language Teaching

Learning Reflections 10 of Seminar in English Language Teaching

        Today, we watched the video about effect of new technologies on English by David Crystal.

Then, we discussed about it with friends and teacher taught us about " Computer Assisted Language Learning: an Introduction by Mark Warschauer". Next,We have the midterm examination.

I found that technology has more influences to teaching and learning English. Moreover, it has both advantages and limitation.

I found difficult that I have no confident when I speak English because I always afraid about Grammatical and pronunciation. I have to more practice about my speaking.

Learning Reflections 9 Seminar in English Language Teaching

Today we learned about English-Teaching Problem in Thailand and Thai teacher's Professional Development needs. Then, teacher assigns us to discuss about this topic together.

We found that the main factor contributing to the failure of English-Teaching and learning are unqualified and poorly-trained teachers, poorly-motivated students, learners of mixed abilities in overly large classes and rare opportunities for student exposure to English outside of class time.

There are 3 main problems about teaching and learning English in Thailand  as follows :

1. Teacher problem : Most of  Thai teachers have problem about teaching writing, incorporating experiential learning into English classes, their own minimal use and exposure to English, teaching listening ans speaking and using games and song effectively in English classes.

2.Student problem : Most of  Thai students have problem about not having enough practice in English, lacking opportunities for English exposure outside class, insufficient knowledge and skills of English, thinking in Thai before translating to English, problem about writing, lacking patient to practice English, having problems about listening and pronunciation and lacking confidence in speaking English.

3.Textbook : There are problems about textbook and curriculum as follows the curriculum have too much to cover, teachers can't manage the activity with the curriculum and teacher not understanding the details in the curriculum.


I think there are many problem about teaching and learning English in Thailand, which need to solving.