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.