tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428841094562870191.post6683656651982480957..comments2018-05-07T02:39:54.788-04:00Comments on BC: International Student Teachers: English in SpainColleen Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08581702695782746285noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428841094562870191.post-80424066559176664202011-09-21T15:46:01.935-04:002011-09-21T15:46:01.935-04:00Hi Erin,
I was also in a school that spoke a com...Hi Erin, <br /><br />I was also in a school that spoke a completely different language! I think its great that you are able to communicate with them in two different languages! I have always wanted to learn a second language. I was only able to work teaching the students english because unfortunately I don't speak Greek ,but I can also relate to teaching the students about pronunciation of the english language. Its very interesting to look at the variety of ways the teachers choose to educate students about language. My teacher would also include me in activities such as reading and describing details so that the students could hear my pronunciation. Its great that you pointed out how much detail and vocabulary is involved in description, we don't really realize how familiar we are with specific words. I think that working with students who are learning english has made me much more conscious of how approach teaching vocabulary! I'm glad that you had such an enjoyable experience teaching abroad!hrogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06012787306440644089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428841094562870191.post-75094081928541597402011-05-10T08:30:31.117-04:002011-05-10T08:30:31.117-04:00I still believe that instruction should be taught ...I still believe that instruction should be taught in the target language, but due to the great variation in the students' English levels, the instruction is mainly in Spanish- especially with directions. Often, the teacher will deliver instructions in both languages, and I have seen this before in Spanish classes as well. I, however, prefer to try it with the target language and then build on it based on how much the students can get. Pictures and drama are perfect- I point a lot and use any paper they have to point out images, and I try to use gestures and signals. It seems like your read aloud was a great example of this and gave you something to experience!Erin Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00148237083324658800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428841094562870191.post-8749811338276300092011-04-16T03:23:59.476-04:002011-04-16T03:23:59.476-04:00Erin, I love reading about your prac because it se...Erin, I love reading about your prac because it seems incredibly different from any other teaching experience I have had so far. I took Spanish for ten years and am now learning to speak Italian, so I am also incredibly interested in teaching English as a second language. It seems to me that, by teaching students who speak Spanish as their native language, you are getting the opportunity to improve upon your teaching skills as you are most certainly becoming more explicit in your instruction in order to make sure that all of the students understand what you are teaching. I think that this is something that can benefit all students you teach in the future, even if they do speak English as a first language. During my first pre-practicum, I had my read aloud with a student who did not speak a word of English. It was very hard for me to assess whether or not he understood the things I taught him, and I often used pictures and drama instead of written language. Do you see this a lot for English instruction in your school? How much are the students allowed to revert back to their native language and how to you feel this affects their progression in learning English? I think that without the opportunity to use their native language, it would not be feasible for them to truly learn and understand a second language - but do understand that this is an incredibly complex and highly debated issue. Now that you are experiencing this issue first-hand, I am curious as to what your thoughts are/if they have changed!Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15300431631778841877noreply@blogger.com