Random Quote

The least of learning is done in the classrooms
---- Thomas Merton

Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain.
---- Lily Tomlin

Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.
---- Malcom Forbes

I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.
---- Thomas A. Edison

It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.
---- Franklin D. Roosevelt

"It was on my fifth birthday that Papa put his hand on my shoulder and said, 'Remember, my son, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.'"
---- Sam Levenson

Arguments over grammar and style are often as fierce as those over IBM versus Mac, and as fruitless as Coke versus Pepsi and boxers versus briefs.
---- Jack Lynch

The great enemy of clear language is insincerity. When there is a gap between one's real and one's declared aims, one turns as it were instinctively to long words and exhausted idioms, like a cuttlefish spurting out ink.
---- George Orwell

Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.
---- Robert Frost

Just because your voice reaches halfway around the world doesn't mean you are wiser than when it reached only to the end of the bar.
---- Edward R. Murrow

I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask them where they're going and hook up with them later.
---- Mitch Hedberg

Sleep is a symptom of caffeine deprivation.
---- Author Unknown

Study without desire spoils the memory, and it retains nothing that it takes in.
---- Leonardo DaVinci (1452-1519)

Tact is the knack of making a point without making an enemy.
---- Isaac Newton

To have another language is to possess a second soul.
---- Charlemagne

Don't knock the weather. If it didn't change once in a while, nine out of ten people couldn't start a conversation.
---- Kin Hubbard

There are painters who transform the sun to a yellow spot, but there are others who with the help of their art and their intelligence, transform a yellow spot into the sun.
---- Pablo Picasso

Drink coffee! Do stupid things faster!
---- unknown

Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.
---- Abigail Adams (1744 - 1818)

Those who know nothing of foreign languages, knows nothing of their own.”
---- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749 -1832)

America believes in education: the average professor earns more money in a year than a professional athlete earns in a whole week.
---- Evan Esar

Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain.
---- Lily Tomlin

Hanging is too good for a man who makes puns; he should be drawn and quoted.
---- Fred Allen

it's probably not a good idea to underestimate my ability to make an ass out of myself—just when I seem to have it under control, I'll turn around and surprise you.
---- Tenser said the Tensor

One man alone can be pretty dumb sometimes, but for real bona fide stupidity, there ain't nothin' can beat teamwork.
---- Edward Abbey

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 Sunday May 06 2007

Best Method

What is the best method for learning a language? or for that matter teaching a language? In my experience most students have one method of learning and that involves heavy usage of rote memorization. They seem to think that language is knowledged that can be memorized and not a skill to be acquired and/or improved. I spend a lot of time in my classes trying to build awareness of the difference but am not sure how effective I am. I have written on this before and if you were to search my blog you would find several entries, but two come to mind: Lead a Horse to Water and Learner Autonomy.

This semester I’ve been changing things up a bit. This week we’re going to take a general look at what students can do to improve their command of English. To that end I’ve prepared a hand out that I feel will be effective. If you like it, feel free to use it. I’m also looking for some critical feedback from readers.

The file is in PDF format. If you would like the original (MS Publisher) let me know and I’ll send it to you.
best_method_for_learning_english.pdf

update
I could have written How do English learners teach us? but I didn’t. It was written by a Taiwanese English learner and university professor.



Sean. inscribed these words of wisdom on Sunday May 6, 2007 at 01:40 PM
Teaching | Learning_Strategies | teaching_application | Materials | Permalink |
 Thursday September 08 2005

Balloons

The latest completed chapter in the textbook that I am writing has been completed and tested with my class. My partner is testing chapter one this week and will test chapter two next week. The second unit builds awareness of group strategies and the need to use language with other learners instead of just studying it. The hook for the chapter is a really great activity that my partner found on the net and changed slightly.

Balloons! Handout 2-3 balloons to each student and have them inflate them. Next set up students in groups of 3-4 with the exception of having one student stand alone. Students are now to try and keep as many balloons as possible in the air for 30-60 seconds by bouncing them off of thier hands. Naturally the student working all alone can only keep up 2 or maybe 3 balloons where as the groups can do much better by working together.


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Sean. inscribed these words of wisdom on Thursday Sep 8, 2005 at 07:25 AM
Learning_Strategies | Lesson_Plans | Permalink |
 Tuesday March 22 2005

Mistakes are your Friend

Are mistakes a necessary part of language learning?
Yes
100 %  89% (32)
 
No
8 %  8% (3)
 
I'm not sure
3 %  3% (1)
 

update
read Gord’s comment on this entry on Steve’s blog: he speaks eloquently and covers a couple of points I forgot to make.



Over at Steve Kauffman’s Blog there has been some discussion about mistakes and language learning. On March 14th, Steve posted an entry about the usefulness of making mistakes as a language learner. I responded with a comment that in part says

Sticking to the tried and true simple sentences is not going to improve your command of language. Learning language is like learning a musical instrument only the ones who put in countless hours of practice and use will be recognized as masters.

This is something I truly believe and actively advocate that my students pursue. However not everyone agrees with me.
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Sean. inscribed these words of wisdom on Tuesday Mar 22, 2005 at 04:23 PM
About_Language | Teaching | Learning_Strategies | Permalink |
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