The Ideal Language Class Size

Over the years, I have taught listening/speaking classes that range anywhere from 1-2 students to about 50, and each type of class brings its own rewards and benefits. However, for you personally, what is the ideal size for a listening/speaking class? Are their advantages to having smaller or larger classes depending on our goals? How much of a role does the teacher have in the learning process regardless of class size?

Please share your ideas.

Randall

Learning verses Mastering a Language

For many years, I have taught grammar classes, and I often teach advanced-level students. However, in many cases, although students have passed their previous classes to reach the advanced level, they still make many mistakes with basic grammar they should have "learned" in other classes. In other words, while they had a passing score to get to the next class (let's say, 75% or so), they were still missing about 25% of the content.

The result is that students have so many gaps in their learning that they haven't mastered the language at all. The common causes are (1) that teachers often don't recycle or test concepts that the students learn in previous levels and (2) students assume that a passing grade is sufficient for them and then they fail to review and learn the parts they didn't know in the first place.

Students just assume that since they are in the advanced class that they are advanced learners when they really lack a full, comprehensive, and solid grasp of the language.

What teachers can do to help students is to constantly recycle and test all of the gramamr points from all of the classes instead of just teaching new concepts. The more a teacher builds upon earlier grammar points, the more students can apply them better.

So, what has been your experience in studying grammar? What has helped you the most in learning or mastering the language? What can teachers do to help you? Please share your ideas.

Randall

Learning English From Native Speakers

For the most part, I teach grammar classes to ESL students in an intensive language program in the United States. One of the challenges my students face is that although some of them have native speakers as roommates (or at least associate with native speakers often), my students often feel confused because their friends don't always use the grammar we study in class. In fact, native speakers break the rules quite often or don't even know how to use English correctly, either by choice or ignorace.

However, my ESL students often can't tell the difference between accurate and incorrect usage of the language. Take a look at these examples:

• I'm tired, so I want to lay down.
• If I was in your situation, I'd go to the party.
• Not getting enough sleep can effect your school work.
• The student sleeps in class everyday.

I tell my students that if their goal is just to learn English casually for daily conversation, then knowing how to use the grammar precisely isn't as important as if you are studying the language for academic or professional purposes. Keep in mind that this is probably the same case in every language. People tend to use language that their peers and family use, whether it is correct or not.

Any comments on this? I'd be interested in hearing your opinions on this.

Randall

Language and Culture Videos

Hi everyone,

I hope you are enjoying your summer. Over the past few months, I've been creating a number of language and cultural videos to help students practice their listening skills. They deal with common situations I experience regularly living in the United States. You might find them useful for you.

Randall

Visual Search Engines: Do they help students find information better?

Most people have used Google to find information on the Internet, but fewer people have ever used a visual search engine to location information. The Web site, Searchme.com, is one such Web site where you can preview pages before you look at them.

Currently, I am doing some research on whether such search engines are less, more, or just as useful as something like Google. If you have a moment, please take my survey on this topic, and/or share your opinions. Try using a topic with key words like "cell phones cheating" or some other topic in both Google and Searchme.com. Which search engine helps you find information?

Best,

Randall

Improving Your Listening Skills: Watch Video

Hi everyone,

I've just created a video where teachers and students can watch in which I share some keys or "secrets" to improving your listening skills. I have also included some PowerPoint slides and a Student Assignment Sheet. This video is part of a new Web Conference Center I have just created. Visit the link below and then click on the Watch Video link at the top of the page:

-- http://esl-lab.com/webconference/webcenter.htm

I suggest reading the entire page so you understand the project's purpose.

Best,

Randall

Fast Speech: How Students Can Understand it Better

Often times, my students tell me that native English speakers talk too quickly, and then I respond by saying that they listen to SLOWLY. We often laugh about this, but I try to help my students realize that the issue is that native English speakers often reduce some sounds in what is called relax speech, which is hard for students to understand.

In other words, although English has only 5 main vowels (a,e.i,o,u), we sometimes don't pronounce these clearly in unstressed syllables. In other languages with the same vowels, these sounds are almost always stressed. Here are a couple of examples in English:

• I want to go to the party.
• I wanna go ta the party.
• I have to call him tonight.
• I hafta call 'im tanight.

Keep in mind that faster speech doesn't mean better communication skills. I've created a Web site to help students called http://www.trainyouraccent.com/. There are also a number of good books that help students improve their use and understanding of conversational English. One of them is Whaddaya Say: Guided Practice in Relaxed Speech. You can find more of my recommended books and electronic devices at:

• http://esl-lab.com/resources.htm

Besides understanding fast speech, what other factors do you think affect a student's ability to understand a language? Share your thoughts on this topic.

Randall