Language Learning Language Learning Strategies IIStrategies II

November 6, 2007November 6, 2007

Goals for today…Goals for today…

Goals and Homework (2:00-2:05)Goals and Homework (2:00-2:05) The Good Language Learner – The Good Language Learner –

brainstorm and discussion (2:05-brainstorm and discussion (2:05-2:20)2:20)

The Good Language Learner The Good Language Learner Profile Activity (2:20 – 2:30)Profile Activity (2:20 – 2:30)

Speaking, Reading, & Writing Speaking, Reading, & Writing (2:30 – 3:15)(2:30 – 3:15)

Homework for next Homework for next time…time… Read SA pp. 203-245Read SA pp. 203-245 Language Learner Profile report Language Learner Profile report

duedue

What is a “good” What is a “good” language learner?language learner? In small groups brainstorm words In small groups brainstorm words

or short phrases on board for 1 or short phrases on board for 1 minute minute

Does the ‘Good Language Learner’ Exist?

“Initially, learning French was a lot of nitty gritty details. Immersion was the key for me. I got involved in events and in speaking up even when I was not comfortable. Not only did I study abroad, I also taught in Cameroon and in France. Some of my closest friends are native French speakers and we stay in touch by phone, e-mail, letters, and special trips. I still maintain my fluency ten years later with a real purpose for communicating in French. “ Tracie DeVine, native English speaker

“I went into my first language class and made a promise to myself that I would speak this language without an accent. I went on to become not only fluent in English, but also Latin, French, and have just passed intermediate Arabic. My fluency and ease with English enabled me to study abroad. “

Gabi Schmiegel, native German speaker

Strategies used by Strategies used by “good” language “good” language learnerslearners Making reasoned guesses when not sure Making an effort to communicate and to

learn through communication Finding strategies for overcoming

inhibitions in target language interaction Practicing the language whenever possible Monitoring their speech and that of others Attending to form (i.e., grammar) Paying attention to meaning

---Rubin (1975)---Rubin (1975)

Exchange Language Exchange Language Learner ProfilesLearner Profiles Read over the profile. Ask the Read over the profile. Ask the

person some questions or person some questions or clarifications or simply write down clarifications or simply write down more information.more information.

For next time you will write a For next time you will write a language learning profile on that language learning profile on that person (see example) and post to person (see example) and post to your blog (2-5 pages)your blog (2-5 pages)

Speaking, Reading, Speaking, Reading, WritingWriting In small groups generate lists of In small groups generate lists of

activities you could do to practice activities you could do to practice each of these skills prior to each of these skills prior to studying abroadstudying abroad

Speaking | Reading | WritingSpeaking | Reading | Writing

Find NSFind NS Have a Have a

conversation conversation partnerpartner

Practice language Practice language over phoneover phone

Speak with others Speak with others studying the studying the languagelanguage

Live with others Live with others (French House, (French House, Spanish House)Spanish House)

Check local library Check local library for resources for resources (papers, (papers, magazines)magazines)

Find a good Find a good dictionarydictionary

Look at online Look at online bookstores for bookstores for resourcesresources

Read online Read online magazines/newspmagazines/newspapersapers

Read NS blogsRead NS blogs

Find a penpal or Find a penpal or keypal and write keypal and write to him/her to him/her regularlyregularly

Begin keeping a Begin keeping a journal in the journal in the target languagetarget language

Questions for Questions for discussiondiscussion As a class, read Mickie’s story out As a class, read Mickie’s story out

loud SA p. 204loud SA p. 204 Why is the “fear of speaking” a Why is the “fear of speaking” a

common fear among people?common fear among people? What might suggest to help What might suggest to help

someone overcome this fear?someone overcome this fear? Can you relate to Mickie in any Can you relate to Mickie in any

way?way?

Keeping the Keeping the conversation rolling….conversation rolling…. Borrow wordsBorrow words Translate literallyTranslate literally ““foreignize” wordsforeignize” words Use descriptionsUse descriptions Use a simple word if necessaryUse a simple word if necessary Coin a new wordCoin a new word Act out or draw the wordAct out or draw the word Ask for helpAsk for help Fake your understandingFake your understanding Abandon certain wordsAbandon certain words Avoidance of words or toipcsAvoidance of words or toipcs

An exercise in getting An exercise in getting what you wantwhat you want SA p. 218-219SA p. 218-219 Work though the following activity Work though the following activity

individually and then discuss in individually and then discuss in language groups (if possible)language groups (if possible)

Were you able to communicate Were you able to communicate your ideas?your ideas?

What problems or frustrations did What problems or frustrations did you encounter?you encounter?

Strategies for increasing Strategies for increasing your reading your reading comprehensioncomprehension Decide why you need to read itDecide why you need to read it Skim the textSkim the text Use top-down and bottom-up Use top-down and bottom-up

strategiesstrategies Don’t overuse dictionaryDon’t overuse dictionary Read between linesRead between lines Get background info firstGet background info first

Filling in the Gaps Filling in the Gaps (reading activity)(reading activity) SA pp. 229SA pp. 229 Read directions together, then Read directions together, then

answer the following questions answer the following questions (next slide)(next slide)

Filling in the Gaps Filling in the Gaps (reading activity)(reading activity) SA pp. 229 --- how well did you understand the text?? SA pp. 229 --- how well did you understand the text??

(discuss questions that follow in small groups)(discuss questions that follow in small groups)– What is the main point of the passage?What is the main point of the passage?– According to the author, what features has According to the author, what features has

technology brought to personal organization?technology brought to personal organization?– What are the advantages and disadvantages of What are the advantages and disadvantages of

these advances?these advances?– Does the author feel that people are better Does the author feel that people are better

organized today than n the past?organized today than n the past?– How many of the words did you “fill in”?How many of the words did you “fill in”?– Were you able to get the gist of the story without Were you able to get the gist of the story without

knowing some words?knowing some words?– What strategies did you employ to help you figure What strategies did you employ to help you figure

out the meaning of the text?out the meaning of the text?

Writing – Some AdviceWriting – Some Advice

Go back to go forwardGo back to go forward Repeat key words and phrasesRepeat key words and phrases Plan out what you are going to writePlan out what you are going to write Discuss what you want to say with someone else Discuss what you want to say with someone else

before writingbefore writing Leave a blank for words you don’t knowLeave a blank for words you don’t know Edit grammar and mechanics after your ideas are Edit grammar and mechanics after your ideas are

writtenwritten Make major revisions after your ideas are written Make major revisions after your ideas are written

downdown Distance yourself from writingDistance yourself from writing Give yourself extra time to writeGive yourself extra time to write Read in target language in order to improve your Read in target language in order to improve your

writing in that languagewriting in that language

ReformulationReformulation

Most useful for intermediate and Most useful for intermediate and advanced levels of languageadvanced levels of language

To improve your ability to write To improve your ability to write like a nativelike a native

A good exercise – write a short A good exercise – write a short paper and then have a NS offer paper and then have a NS offer feedback; compare the 2feedback; compare the 2

ReformulationReformulation

Compare the way things are Compare the way things are phrasedphrased

Compare how ideas are linked Compare how ideas are linked togethertogether

Compare vocabulary selectionCompare vocabulary selection Compare choice and ordering of Compare choice and ordering of

grammatical formsgrammatical forms

Reformulation – identify Reformulation – identify possible corrections in possible corrections in small groupssmall groups

One of the severe problems of the social life on One of the severe problems of the social life on campus is the problem of the relationship campus is the problem of the relationship between the Arabs and Jews. It is well know between the Arabs and Jews. It is well know that the mixture of the two cultures causes that the mixture of the two cultures causes tension between students, and it especially tension between students, and it especially effects students who live in the dormitories of effects students who live in the dormitories of the university. In my opinion this problem the university. In my opinion this problem would not have been so sever if unreliable would not have been so sever if unreliable sections from the Students Union did not sections from the Students Union did not deliberately wake students to act violently. I deliberately wake students to act violently. I therefore suggest that an imediate change of therefore suggest that an imediate change of the group which dominates the Students Union the group which dominates the Students Union will be done by free elections on campus.will be done by free elections on campus.