Summary
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Although I've read a bit in preparation for it, this post has a different purpose than summarizing and responding to something I've read. I want to welcome you to your EAP class on Mondays and Tuesdays.
So, welcome, and thank you for registering for the class this term.
Our aim is to cover all of unit 1 of Skillful 4: Reading and Writing, which we should be able to do in our 16 hours of classes over the next four-and-a-bit weeks. In addition to your paper book, there is also a very useful digital version of the text, and an online workbook for further practice.
As with the Google Apps for Education that we will use and this class blog, it might take a couple of sessions for you to become familiar with these tools, but I am confident that you will find that initial effort worthwhile. By moving some of the work to out-of-class activities, we can then focus our class time on preparation for and discussion of the skills you will practice at home, or wherever you like.
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Response
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| The digital version of the book is very convenient |
In her introduction to students on page 6, the series consultant, Dorothy E. Zemach, gives some strategies for successful learning, one of which is to "be an independent learner" (in Rogers & Warwick, 2018). As Zemach suggests we do in her comment, it is one way for you to "practice English outside of class." Some of the topics you will write about here are the unit topics, but I also like Zemach's suggestion that "reading for pleasure and using the Internet in English" are important, so your writing here will not be limited to the topics of the units that we study over the next three weeks.
Another point that I like in her introduction is Zemach's emphasis on practice, for which she suggests that we do "a little bit each day." The research on this is strong: regular practice in small chunks of time is far more effective than long sessions once or twice a week. Since we meet twice a week, and on consecutive days, this is especially important to bear in mind.
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Question
As Warwick and Rogers often do, giving readers a specific question or two to respond to is often an effective way to engage readers. It helps to check that we understand what we have read, that we have thought about the ideas critically, and to that we can apply them to our own of more general situations.- Which one of the five strategies that Zemach introduces on page 6 do you think will be most useful for you to focus on over the next three weeks?
It's good if you think all five are useful, but this question asks you pick one of them, so you will have to write a little more to explain your choice of that one over the others. About 90 to 120 words in twelve minutes sounds good: read for 2:00 minutes, plan for 3:00 minutes, and write for 7:00 minutes.
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Reference
- Warwick, L. & Rogers, L. (2018). Skillful 4: Reading & Writing, Student's Book Pack (2nd. ed.). London: Macmillan Education
For me, being an independent learner is the toughest among the 4, being the independent means that you will have yourself the full of regulations and being strict which all of this is what the process of my training that I want to become. Learning independently is really fast and better, according to my packed 20 people in the same online-class of my university, nothing is the most perfect time than finding myself in the good opportunities to practice English.
ReplyDelete-Phum
When I first read "full of regulations and being strict," it sounded terribly serious, but I think Phum makes an important point. Being an independent learner works better if you follow regular habits of learning. One example could be opening this class blog, reading the comments and writing a short response to at least three. This is something that I find goes well with my morning and afternoon coffees. Mixing some short reading and writing goes well with the relaxing coffee.
DeleteWhat do others think?
I agree with you Phum. Being an independence learner needs patience, discipline, and time, But these this will worthwhile. I suggest that having somethings which literally entertain you such as book, music, journal, and even movies.
DeleteFor me, I am interested in the beatles's biography Hence I usually read the beatles's biography and beatles fan's forums which contain of how beatles's song composed and recorded. I think doing this can help me improve my reading skill but it's not enough though. I think i should gain my writing skill by doing a lots of exercise in "skillful 4" book accompanied by sumplementary exercises from Digital workbook.
I also find difficulty in trying to be an independent learner even though obviously it is beneficial to the learners in cultivating the habbit of an automous learner. Self-discipline, which I lack of, is one of the needed factors in becoming an independent learner
Delete.
Personally, being an independent learner is the most difficult for me. I truly respect people who have disciplined and learned by themselves. I always felt to control myself unless I have near any deadline or facing any serious situation. It just likes a Thai idiom that said, "when you don't see the coffin, you won't be regret"
DeleteLearning English is a love and hate relationship for me, when I was a kid it was a hate relationship, once I grow up and I need to work I turn back to interest in it again since it could help me complete my career's goal. I have continued studying English for almost a year and I feel that I enjoy it when I can express how I feel more naturally, and a foreigner can understand me. But I am still struggling with how to use English more properly and politely. There are many times that I communicate in English, but I cannot differentiate the politeness way of writing so when a message or an email to my colleague I tend to keep it direct, short, and simple but it turns out to be rude. So I felt sorry for that. This drives me to want to be better in English and can use it more professionally and properly. When I face this kind of situation, it is like I saw a coffin in front of my face and I turn to be more concentrated in using it or learning it again.
I like all five of Zemach's suggested strategies, but as you read my comments above, I quoted the most from her suggestion to "be an independent learner," which is the one I thought the most important. If you only do what's in the book, that's good, but it really isn't enough.
ReplyDeleteAs we were introducing ourselves a couple of people said that they like reading, Phing likes to read non-fiction at the moment, and someone (sorry, I don't remember who) said that she (I do remember that detail) likes to read fiction. (Prim?) Those things count as being an independent learner, as long as you read your fiction or non-fiction in English, of course! Learning in Thai is also great, but we want independent learning in English.
And there are lots of other ways you can be an independent learner. If you have NetFlix, "Bridgerton" in English is great, although more for listening than reading and writing. But there are newspaper free online, and lots of great books to appeal to every taste in English.
As you might have guessed from my emphasis on it while were introducing ourselves, my second favourite of Zemach's five excellent suggestions is "Ask questions and interact." If you are reading and listening critically and attentively, you have questions, so ask them! If you don't agree with something, say so. If you do agree, say so. If you think I've said something wrong, tell me! (I prefer not to, but I do sometimes make mistakes.)
The skill in critically examing the issues appears to me the most useful skii. As we are living in this 21st century, this skill is mostly required. We all need to be able to analyze and having the critical mindset in order to live up to date in this current trend.
ReplyDeleteI need to rewrite my answer here as I do not answer to question.
DeleteThe most useful learning strategy suggested by Zemach , which I lack of, is being an independent learner. I like the idea that students need to find time exposing themselves in language like reading extensively or even practising using the language outside the classroom. The strategy will surely help me to improve and enhance my English ability. Most of all the suggestion also includes setting study goal. This is a great tool for me to get to know where is the direction I am heading to. And by the end of the term, I could make a self-evaluation of how much I've achieved comparing to the set goal.
Regrading what Zemach five strategies: prepare to learn, ask questions and interact, practice, review my work, and be an independent learner I personally like every steps. to combine it together it would help me improve my skill very well. If I have to choose only one strategies, I would choose practice because when I practice and get someone to feedback my work while I am practicing it, it help me understand my own problem. This could enrich my memory and help me remember it better. When I make a mistake I trend to recall my own mistake nest time when I work on it again.
ReplyDeleteSo I really like to do practicing activities in the book and also outside the book because it could help me develop my own skill more solid.
I agree with you that practice is the most useful strategy as it helps improving memory, especially when learning something new. I used to have a heated debate with my professor on the importance of memorizing vocabulary or new lessons. He said that to do well in a class, you have to understand the lessons not memorize it. I argued that before I can understand the lesson, I need to have it to strict to my brain first. I agree with Aristotle that you can start thinking only when you have memory. I have seen that many people ignore the importance of memorizing things. Perhaps, we are in the age of the Internet so we can google any information anytime we want.
DeleteLearning from mistakes is very efficient for me too. I also agree with Emma that after we memorize it, we can think about it more clearly.
DeletePractice is useful for me because it makes me develop myself. I can learn from my practicing, practice is spent time and dedicating for improving me skill. I can learn from mistake and correct some of my practicing. And my brain can memorize what I practice. Finally I can get it to what I practice and can be professional from practice experience.
ReplyDeleteThanks Phon. As you have probably seen when you read your classmates' comments comments here, practice is a popular choice. And although it was not my first choice, I certainly don't disagree that it's important.
DeleteSo since we all agree that practice is important, what are some concrete ways to put practice into practice? Should the practice be done daily or less frequently?
What do you (and your classmates) think about these questions related to practice?
Thank you Peter for your support this.
DeleteFor me, I was thinking that we can practice writing 3 or 4 days a week for improving and memorizing from the assignment. I agree with Emma that studying new words (added grammar) without using, it's easy for me to forget. The practice makes me remember and understand various vocabulary and critical writing.
I think Zemach's advice on practicing is the most useful for me. As she mentions it, memorizing and using new vocabulary help me familiar with the new information and I can use them automatically. When I study new words without using, I will forget them within a few day, and it takes times for me to recall them. By practicing it regulary, it
ReplyDeleteI've just written two comments also on the topic of practice, which was one of the two popular choices among Zemach's five strategies.
DeleteI like that Emma's comment is a bit more specific - she gives the example of how practice helps to consolidate new vocabulary.
But I'm going to repeat a variation on the questions I've already asked: what is concrete way to practice so that new vocabulary is remembered and available for use? What exactly can we do? Should it be done daily, or less often?
More ideas are welcome!
I also faced the same problem you had mentioned. I once studied in a TOEFL Preparation class. The teacher taught us around 20 new academic words. When students met in the class in the following week and some of those words were put up, I could remember almost none. In this case I think practice is the key. Especially for speaking task, pracice plays a great role in learning process.
DeleteThank you, Peter. I have wrote my suggestion on Num's post. I agree with Zemach that memorizing and use new vocabulary can improve memory. When I prepared for TOEFL test 5 years ago, I memorized the new vocabulary by writing short paragraph using the new vocabulary. It worked the vocabulary still strict into my memory.
DeleteLearning English requires lots of activities and time-consuming. Good learners should keep learning continuously. Therefore, I normally support that being an independent learner is the most effective strategy. However, we use languages to communicate so participation with others is the main function of languages. For the next three week, I support that asking questions and interact is the most important activity because it is the golden period to participate in English which isn't common in Thailand Joining the classroom provide the chance hence we should focus on questions and interaction.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see someone give a good reason for choosing "questions and interaction" as the most important of Zemach's strategies to focus on.
DeleteAnd I think this class blog is a good opportunity to do that. Read your classmates' comments and interact with them.
If something is unclear, ask a question.
If you want to know more, ask a question.
If you agree with something, add your own examples and explanation for why you agree.
If you disagree, explain why. Can you change our minds?
If you like something for any reason, let your classmate know.
There is plenty of scope for interacting and asking questions to practice reading and writing as an independent learner here.
And thank you Phing. I really like the ideas that your comment states. They helped me get more ideas.
To me, asking question works for both sides. For the ones who ask question, they will get the answer or the get to know the view point of from the respondent while the respondent will be giving a chance practising responding with justification or explanation.
DeleteThank you, Kitt and Peter.
DeleteI agree with Kitt that asking and interacting provide benefits to both sides of speakers. Moreover, Your comment gives me the idea that this activity also supports brainstorming well.
Independent learner is one of the most important things for learning English. Although some people say ask questions and interact is useful, in my view if you do not practice it yourself, it is impossible to succeed.
ReplyDeleteFirst, learning by yourself helps you accomplish your goal. Looking for an opportunity to study anywhere and anytime with foreigners and Asian friends. These situations help you familiar with languages.
Second, reading fiction books helps you feel relaxed and enjoy learning beautiful phrases and useful words. Spending time with yourself helps your language skills
To sum up, learning by yourself makes your language perfect. Spending time with yourself and learning language yourself are good for practicing.
I like Earth's comment because she does exactly what I'm hoping more of our authors come back and do: she gives a concrete way to practice when she says that "reading fiction books helps you feel relaxed and enjoy learning beautiful phrases and useful words."
DeleteSo Earth, how often do you read fiction in English? What are you reading at the moment? Today I'm reading a novel by Terry Pratchett about wizards on an imaginary world that has some amazing resemblances to historical situations on Earth. Pratchett also manages to neatly fit modern science, and the history of science, into his books.
ANd they are fun. Seriously good fun, and often also very funny. Before "The Lost Continent" I had read his "Unseen Academicals", and a few more over the years.
And earlier this year I continued a binge from last year on Patrick White, a terribly, terribly serious but also brilliant Australian writer. In fact, he's our only Nobel Prize winner for literature. But I would recommend starting with Terry Pratchett rather than White.
Your learning style sounds nice. I'm interested in your fiction books.
DeleteWould you give me some example of them?
For me, I think that The old man and the sea by Ernest Hemingway is one of the top-recommended fiction for me. It's perfect for English learners and not to challenge.