Methods for Teaching Additional Language Learners (ALL) |
Languages for Special Purposes
In society, there are language specific terms required in order to perform safely and effectively in various jobs and within higher education that additional language learners will need to know--(I.e.: careers in business and in the fields of nursing, science and biochemicals and degree programs at the college or university level). Is there a specific method or prescription for supporting and teaching learners to acquire this specific language? It is obvious that a method for teaching preschool students how to introduce themselves will look much different than working with a group of adults who must learn a myriad of specific terms expediently for collaborative planning and cooperative, team-building projects for safety on the job. An awareness of methods for ALTL will better prepare instructors to apply one or many components from various theories for learners to be successful.
Students need to know how to write reports for school. As well, medical research reports require knowledge of complex terms and specific rules for set up and academic journal standards. Some considerations for effective approaches to learn report writing is dependent on the cognitive and maturity level of learners as well as the complexity and purpose of the reports.
Corpus-Based Teaching is an approach under the umbrella of teaching Languages for Special Purposes. Written and spoken "corpora", or collection of English vocabulary and terms are found on computerized data bases containing simple definitions of terms to more complex examples of discourse including natural dialects and styles of speaking. Text book developers refer to appropriate categories to address their presentation focus. In Chapter 3 of Teaching by Principles, Brown and Lee provide an on-line example for viewing a sample of what is available for ALTL: pearsonlongman.com/Dictionaries/corpus/index.html (63) It is important to learn how to read from a variety of genres, not only textbooks, and understand information including news articles, lab reports, drug prescriptions, travel brochures and e-mails. Equally important is learning "Netiquette". On-line social network protocol is complicated in L1, thus even more of a monumental task for Additional Language Learners (ALL).
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Resume writing has a specific format that needs to be learned in order to apply for positions.
Skill for reading and understanding maps while traveling is essential.
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In all professions there is job-specific vocabulary. For example, chefs and cooks need to know how to read recipes and ingredients' names in order to do their job. Engineers, electricians and carpenters need to know how to read blueprints and possibly draft plans too, while mechanics require skill in reading manuals both in texts and on-line.
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In the event of environmental disasters, people need to know how to understand each other in order to work together quickly and efficiently. Languaculture and ability to communicate swiftly to sometimes solve life threatening situations with effective possibilities.
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