Teaching English as a Foreign Language
TEFL Assignment
Name: Una Burns
Student No: 40024517
Course Director: Paul Anthony
Assignment Title:
Outline the problems faced by both the teacher and the student on a TEFL course. (1000 words approx.)
Outline the problems faced by both the teacher and the student on a TEFL course. (1000 words approx.)
The acquisition of a new language can pose many difficulties to both the student, in learning the language, and to the teacher in communicating and teaching the language. The following essay attempts to outline some of these difficulties. One of the major factors affecting all students attempting to acquire a foreign language is the correlation of the new language and their native tongue. The degree of variation between the student’s native tongue and the English language can cause all kinds of problems with grammar, spelling, and pronunciation, alongside other factors such as the age of the student, available resources, time, and how long it has been since they have last undergone study.
The age of a student can have a considerable effect on the ability of that student to acquire knowledge of the English language. Adult learners rarely acquire new language due to their extensive knowledge and skills developed over their lifetime, where as younger learners, such as those still in school, will be accustomed to acquiring new language skill on a daily basis. For these younger learners, acquiring a new language is a more natural process than it is for older students who may have not had to study for many years.
Secondly, another problem which may arise is a lack of motivation and enthusiasm shown by the students. Students may skip class, and when they do show up may find it difficult to maintain attention and become easily distracted. They may lack any semblance of attention during class, chatting with classmates, doodling in their note books or misbehaving. Therefore the challenge for the teacher on the TEFL course is one of increasing motivation of the
Name: Una Burns
Student No: 40024517
Course Director: Paul Anthony
Assignment Title:
Outline the problems faced by both the teacher and the student on a TEFL course. (1000 words approx.)
Outline the problems faced by both the teacher and the student on a TEFL course. (1000 words approx.)
The acquisition of a new language can pose many difficulties to both the student, in learning the language, and to the teacher in communicating and teaching the language. The following essay attempts to outline some of these difficulties. One of the major factors affecting all students attempting to acquire a foreign language is the correlation of the new language and their native tongue. The degree of variation between the student’s native tongue and the English language can cause all kinds of problems with grammar, spelling, and pronunciation, alongside other factors such as the age of the student, available resources, time, and how long it has been since they have last undergone study.
The age of a student can have a considerable effect on the ability of that student to acquire knowledge of the English language. Adult learners rarely acquire new language due to their extensive knowledge and skills developed over their lifetime, where as younger learners, such as those still in school, will be accustomed to acquiring new language skill on a daily basis. For these younger learners, acquiring a new language is a more natural process than it is for older students who may have not had to study for many years.
Secondly, another problem which may arise is a lack of motivation and enthusiasm shown by the students. Students may skip class, and when they do show up may find it difficult to maintain attention and become easily distracted. They may lack any semblance of attention during class, chatting with classmates, doodling in their note books or misbehaving. Therefore the challenge for the teacher on the TEFL course is one of increasing motivation of the