Can You Teach a Foreign Language? / myLot

India

May 31, 2018 2:58am CST

Two girls who have just taken their School Final (Madhyamik) Exams expressed their wish to learn spoken English. I agreed to give them three hours a week. I have only given them two hours so far but they are already making good progress. In the village nobody speaks English, so they don't get much practice outside their class. However I have asked them to gather more students to form a support group where everyone will try to speak English. Have you taught anyone English or any other foreign language? What are your experience?

9 people like this

11 responses

M.-L.

@MALUSE (69409)

• Germany

31 May 18

I have taught English, Russian and Italian for 40 years at secondary grammar schools. I could tell you how to teach but certainly not in a comment box! You should get schoolbooks for your pupils. Doing it only orally isn't such a good idea. Schoolbooks have exercises for certain grammar topics. You can't think of everything yourself. Pity that you're one of the members who don't mention their country. I wonder what is your reason not to do this? If I know your native language, I could suggest language learning sites. The internet is full of them with excellent teaching material.

5 people like this

AKRao24

@AKRao24 (27424)

• India

31 May 18

She is from India @MALUSE...please help her out with your valuable suggestions!

M.-L.

@MALUSE (69409)

• Germany

31 May 18

@AKRao24 I don't do online teaching. That would go too far. As I've mentioned, there are very good online learning sites.

1 person likes this

josefina

@josie_ (9763)

• Philippines

31 May 18

@MALUSE _My curiosity got the better of me.

1 person likes this

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (326432)

• Rockingham, Australia

31 May 18

I have only helped adult women improve their English. It was in a voluntary capacity.

4 people like this

josefina

@josie_ (9763)

• Philippines

31 May 18

Unlike our first language which we acquire naturally, learning a second language would require some effort and a lot of motivation. One would also have to overcome the fact that our brain thinks in our native language.

1 person likes this

M.-L.

@MALUSE (69409)

• Germany

31 May 18

Isn't it fascinating to watch how children can acquire several languages without any problems? I know of some couples from different countries who live in a country which isn't the home country of either of them. For example: Husband from Italy, wife from the Czech Republic in Germany. Husb. from Algeria, wife from Ukraine in Germany.

1 person likes this

M.-L.

@MALUSE (69409)

• Germany

31 May 18

@josie_ Older people can learn a foreign language, too, but are rarely able to acquire the correct accent, especially if they don't live in the country where the language is spoken.

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josefina

@josie_ (9763)

• Philippines

31 May 18

@MALUSE _That does not necessarily mean older people can't acquire a second language albeit with a little more difficulty. As you mention, the internet is a rich source for learning languages if you are motivated and have the discipline to put in the effort.

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anamika

@anamika161088 (11868)

• India

31 May 18

I have taught English. If the students are not getting practical practice than they can opt for English reading like newspaper and novels, they can go for listening English music which will help them to know about proper pronunciation and accent as well.

2 people like this

Louise Crisologo

@mlgen1037 (29886)

• Manila, Philippines

31 May 18

I do not. I am actually the one who wants to learn a foreign language.

3 people like this

josefina

@josie_ (9763)

• Philippines

31 May 18

Most Filipinos are bilingual. We know English, Tagalog and maybe another Filipino dialect if we happen to be from non-Tagalog speaking provinces. BTW, what foreign language are you interested in?

2 people like this

Louise Crisologo

@mlgen1037 (29886)

• Manila, Philippines

31 May 18

@josie_ You are right po. The reason why I like to be a Filipino. I want to learn Mandarin.

Jessa Bumagat

@Jessabuma (31700)

• Baguio, Philippines

31 May 18

No. I can't. I am not that good in English and I am still improving my English..

3 people like this

Hannah

@HannahD (121)

•

31 May 18

Your English is well

2 people like this

Jessa Bumagat

@Jessabuma (31700)

• Baguio, Philippines

31 May 18

@HannahD hehe!!! Thanks

AKRao24

@AKRao24 (27424)

• India

31 May 18

I like teaching and used to take private tuition for math and science subject...just like the way we teach in a school on black board! Never taught any one any Language ! Thanks!

1 person likes this

Hope

@1hopefulman (45123)

• Canada

1 Jun 18

Yes, I have helped a number of people improve their English and I helped one person learn Italian so well that she now speaks the language better than I do.

Shizuka

@choijungeun (2540)

• Hangzhou, China

31 May 18

i'm good at invent the new language,but i don't learn the language.it's a hard work,and it needs the persistence and interest of students and the funny and effective methods of teachers. i am not a good student,when my English teacher taught us English,i'm always sleeping and fantasizing the beautiful future.I can speak English,because i'm good at Self-Study,and i love to see the American Drama and movies.

1 person likes this