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Viewing New Method of English LearningNew Method of English Learning
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Why do children learn languages better than adults? It's because they use a Listen First approach. Children focus on listening first, while adults tend to focus on speaking. English teachers are now bringing Listen First methods to adults. By AJ Hoge Yumi Imai, a Japanese student who learned English in Japanese schools, is frustrated. She has high scores on English tests, such as the TOEFL. She reads English well and has a large vocabulary. According to standardized tests, she is an advanced English learner. However, she has a problem - Yumi speaks English slowly, makes frequent mistakes, and struggles to understand native speakers. Yumi does well on tests, but she can't communicate. Of course, she is not alone. All over the world, millions of English learners struggle with the same problems. Most learners follow a traditional approach to English learning that includes grammar study, vocabulary lists, textbooks, and speaking activities. Many learners, like Yumi, do well on tests but cannot communicate. A new movement in English education seeks to solve this problem. It's called the 'Listen First' movement, and teachers are getting powerful results with it. Dr. J. Marvin Brown developed the Listen First approach to language learning. Dr. Brown noticed that 'when people move to a new country the children will eventually speak the language like natives and the adults won't.' The normal explanation is that children have a special talent that they lose as they grow up. Dr. Brown, however, believed that the differing learning methods of children and adults made the difference. Dr. Brown noticed that when learning a language, children tend to focus on listening and often do not speak the language for up to a year. Adults, on the other hand, tend to force themselves to speak the language immediately. Dr. Brown believed this was the key practice that makes children such powerful language learners. His Listen First method is now revolutionizing English language education. The Listen First method teaches students to focus most of their time on listening. Students are also taught never to force speech, but rather to speak only when words come effortlessly. The method is being used by David Long, president of 'Automatic Language Growth', to teach English to students in Bangkok, Thailand. Long says, 'The formula is Listen, Don't Speak, and Be Patient.' Listen First teachers advise students to focus solely on listening for a full year. They call this year the 'silent period', though students may speak during this time provided their speech comes effortlessly. Long is getting excellent results with the Listen First method. He says, 'The students just listened for as much as a year without speaking at all. We found that adults get almost the same results that children do. If adults understand natural talk, in real situations, without trying to say anything, for a whole year, then fluent speaking with clear pronunciation will come automatically.' Yumi is convinced. She has traded her grammar books for an iPod and MP3 lessons. She says, 'I don't care about test scores anymore, I just want to speak easily to native speakers.' About the Author: Learn English with MP3 lessons at The Effortless English Club: www.EffortlessEnglishClub.com. Article Source: A Language Guide - http://www.a-language-guide.com More free articles: 1st Rate Articles - 1stRateArticles.com |
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