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Subject: English for Adults

Name: Edward Cooper

Address: 71 Bay Road, New Town TAS 7008

Home ph: +61 3 6278 3791

Mobile ph: +61 428 513 693

Email: eddycooper@msn.com

Number of electives already completed: 0

ASSIGNMENT 1

1. Why is English a ‘Global Language’?

English is a global language as it is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, with only Mandarin, Hindi and possibly Spanish more widely spoken. English is the preferred language internationally for academic and business purposes, as well as in the aviation industry. Some 700 million people worldwide use English as either a native or second language, also, in many countries, English is taught as a mandatory subject at schools.

2. How has the ‘Communicative Approach’ made learning English less artificial and more like the real world?

The communicative approach focuses on language as a means of communication which has a social purpose, rather than just another classroom subject, as it is less structured than traditional teaching methods. It eliminates the repetitiveness of grammar drills. This approach embraces a whole spectrum of functions relating to real-life situations, such as seeking information, apologizing, expressing likes and dislikes etc. It ensures that students employ all the 4 language skills during their learning.
The approach is more pupil-orientated, as it is dictated by the pupils’ needs and/or interests.

3. List 5 ways to give successful classroom instruction.

- Use activities and tasks that relate to real world situations.
- Give plenty of opportunities for students to discuss the lesson content.
- Give clear and complete lesson criteria.
- Clearly demonstrate all new concepts and/or tasks.
- Conduct learning needs analysis to assess the students’ existing and desired level.

4. What is a good technique to decrease TTT and increase STT?

A good technique increase STT is to encourage the students to work in pairs or groups. Ideally, 80% of a lesson should be STT to encourage use of the speaking and listening skills. The teacher should monitor the students and aid in correcting mistakes so that the students know what to focus on to improve.

5. What is the goal of English for Academic Purposes?

The main goal of EAP is to help students reach their own academic goals. The teacher should aim to find out what these goals are via a learning needs analysis. In most cases, this will involve the TOEFL or IELTS exam in order to study and/or work overseas. Particular focus is required on the reading skill, as this is vital to understand academic material.

6. What is important to understand when considering student levels?

Care should be taken to ensure that lessons are appropriate to the level of the students being taught. If the material being taught is too difficult for the students of a particular level, they may lose focus and become disinterested.

7. What is important to understand about levels?

- A teacher’s expectations of students’ abilities at each level can vary slightly from country to country.
- A student may demonstrate different levels of achievement in each of the four language skills. For example, a particular student may excel at the listening skill but may having trouble with the reading skill.
- The level descriptions should be used as a guide, but a teacher should always take into account the level assessment system used at the educational institution they are working in and the abilities of individual students.
- Different educational institutes in varying countries may add extra sublevels to the recognised five TESOL levels.
- Different educational institutes in varying countries may also use alternative names for the different levels.

8. What phase builds background knowledge in EAP lessons?

The pre-reading phase is used to build background knowledge of a text. It allows students to get a basic idea of the subject matter being taught.