Return-Path: <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id e7FGTe822690; Tue, 15 Aug 2000 12:29:40 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 15 Aug 2000 12:29:40 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <s99919fa.021@epcc.edu> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Andres Muro" <andresm@epcc.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-ESL:4823] Re: different ways of learning X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII X-Mailer: Novell GroupWise 5.5.3 Status: O Content-Length: 2029 Lines: 21 Letting students choose the instructional methodology is similar to letting patients choose surgery techniques or letting passengers tell pilots how to fly. Students don't only choose a certain approach because they were taught a certain way in their country. They also choose a certain approach, because the large ABE, ESL program in the local community college, around the corner, etc, uses a certain methodology. It is sometimes difficult to convince the students that your method is better since if the large CC or state funded ABE program is using very traditional approaches. I strongly believe that a participatory, holistic approach works better. The research that I have read, and our experience seems to indicate so. However, it is very difficult to implement such an approach, especially if the students resist. Therefore, in order to implement a holistic, participatory approach, a teacher has to know, not only, the approach but also a way to smoothly transition students that resist, into such a setting. Because this is not easy to do, and there are no places where teachers can receive extensive training to work with adults using a participatory, holistic approach, this approach often fails, and teachers revert to more traditional methods. Andres <<<Joanglas@aol.com 08/14/00 11:49AM >>> Exactly right Susan. I agree. Give the student choices within a range of proven methods. We should not use a methodology because students are used to them from their countries of origin. It is certainly very important to familiarize students with new methods and approaches to choose from . We should not use a methodology just because the teacher likes it either. Fortunately there has been so much research and experimentation with second language learning and teaching that a teacher has many options and should vary techniques. WHATEVER WORKS! Teaching to learning styles is a bit different I think it was Kay who explained learning styles and cultural differences so well previously Joan Glasner
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