Is Accent that Important?

by Maynor Segura

                One of the most common issues concerning the acquisition of a new language is the topic of accent. For some, it is not only communicating in the language but also acquiring “that accent”. Depending on the native language, different speech muscles may have developed in different ranges because the sound the person needs to produce in younger stages in life. For that reason, when a grown-up is learning a new language, he or she may feel uncomfortable at producing certain sounds because his or her vocal cords are not accustomed to produce certain sounds.

                However, considering communication, fluency and clarity are two characteristics that a person learning a new language should focus on. Obviously, when rhythm, intonation and stress produce misunderstandings, it would be really necessary to work on those issues. On the other hand, eloquence and fluency are really appreciate features during a conversation, and a person who is always monitoring his or her pronunciation in every single  detail, may sound fake and not a real conversation.

F2 f and online work from Mynor Segura

The Right Lesson Plan and Environment for Teaching English

 Planning for the Right People in the Right Place
By Maynor Segura C.

I have heard teachers stating that English should be learned the way children learn it. I really worry about this statement because I think it is over simplification of the term “Language acquisition”. I do agree that exposure to the language is great when we are children, and analyzing the natural reaction children have when facing language,  but as an adult, exposure to a language and responding as a kid does,  seems  uncomfortable. For that reason, I do believe that teachers need to plan their lessons with activities and create the correct environment according to age and cultural background. 

 

From this perspective, I do not want to diminish the remarkable ability of children to communicate and how adults may take advantage of following the same patterns. However, there is a big difference between using those strategies to learn a language and forgetting about the linguistic input an adult can manage. 

In the end, it is also really important to teach adults different techniques on how to learn a language and not only to be exposed to that specific language.

How Conscious are you about the Difference between Language Acquisition and Language Learning

Language Acquisition Vs. Language Learning

by Lic. Maynor Segura Calvo

e-mail: mynsegca@gmail.com

How conscious are English teachers of the difference between language acquisition and language learning? I really worry about this situation since many think that a very strict, detailed, perfect and structured planned lesson is more important than creating a good environment.

I do believe in that students will acquire language through language exposure and meaningful communication. For that reason, it is not enough with having a good English class. It is necessary to create other activities where students are pushed and motivated at the same time to spend time using the English Language.

Why is it that English teachers care so much for proper English language learning? When it comes to language acquisition, communication is an important factor since children need to communicate what they need or want and in certain way, adults need language to communicate as well certain needs and feelings. However, communication is broken after continuous correction and confidence is never made if students are not allowed to share ideas although some errors may occur.

The question is how we can create activities out of the class time and that are meaningful and attractive to our students. Some may find that a good answer is technology. Nowadays there are different Learning Management Systems (LMS) that help students to have these activities which are attractive and bring automatic feedback.

Turkey

I was in Instanbul last september