Sunday, November 20, 2011

What Is TESOL And How To Teach It

By Adriana Noton


English is certainly the most important language in the world now.Recently all the acronyms for ESL or English as a second language have changed. The newest ideas and theories on what is TESOL will be discussed below.

So much of the internet and research is written in English these days, that most university students need to know English. The business world is mostly conducted in English, so that many employees must use English every day.

ESL, or English as a second language, has been used in many foreign schools for years. Then the acronym was changed to TEFL, teaching English as a foreign language. Because some countries in the past, like Russia, did not really use English that much.

But in other countries like India and Singapore, the English language is the official language of the government and businesses. So the courses were called TESEL, teaching English as a second language.

Eventually the methods changed and a new key acronym is used that combines both TEFL and TESEL. TESOL means teaching English to speakers of other languages. This methodology is being used now at most foreign language centers, schools and universities.

Many teachers are taking courses online to get certification in TESOL. There is a big market for these classes, and one can get it done in 120 hours. Other language institutes offer a 4 week course that involves student teaching at the end. So many teachers are getting accredited and finding lucrative jobs overseas.

The English language is divided into American English and British English. Some schools have a definite preference, but the trend is more an more towards studying American English, because so many students understand the accent better.

The primary theory or emphasis of this style of teaching is for oral English, and is student centered. So students are more involved and participate more freely. The teachers have had special training in communication skills and listening.

A good teacher will get all of their students busily talking in small groups. Special activities like role playing or questioning gets the chatter going the best. The goal is to have the students talking most of the period, not sitting listening to the teacher.

The most important point is communication, not on grammar. Many students are shy to talk because they fear making a mistake. The teacher must explain that as long as both people understand each other, then they are communicating.

Definitely teachers should not worry about correcting small mistakes in spoken English. This frustrates the student and breaks the communication skills. Children learn languages normally at home by repeating and talking with their parents. Grammar is taught later in school.

Increased vocabulary is always necessary, but can be built into the lessons, so the learning is logical and actually fun. Practicing ones English every day can not be over emphasized. And listening to English music or TV programs does improve ones English, even if one does not get it all.

So many great strides foreword have been made in understanding what is TESOL, and how it should be taught. The first goal is to get students to really be able to communicate in every day English.




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