Unit 10 EXPOSURE AND FOCUS ON FORM

Unit 10 EXPOSURE AND FOCUS ON FORM

In unit 10, I learnt that people can acquire a target language by exposure, just as they pick up their first language. However, for adult people exposure is not enough since they also need to focus on the form of the target language (pronunciation, lexis, grammar, and how it is used and formed).  There are three ways in which people can learn a foreign language. First, by acquisition in which people is exposed to the target language and pick it up automatically, going over a silent period where they work out the language by deducing and realizing the meaning and form of the foreign code. Second, by utilizing interaction in which the learner experiments the language by using some chunks and trying new structures. The last one is by paying attention to formal features such as pronunciation, spelling, word order, grammar, etc. To apply this, you need to know your pupils’ age and learning style. Furthermore, teachers can use different approaches to teach those features. For example, the Grammar Translation method, the Structural approach or the Communicative approach. Personally, I would teach my learners the target language by applying and using authentic material as for example songs, magazines, stories, or newspapers   in order to help students to hear and read about the target code as natural as possible. The materials chosen would be according to my learners’ level.  Another example is using pair or group-work activities where students can experiment the language and have the opportunity to use it by interacting among classmates. Finally, highlighting could be another example of how I can teach my learners the language since this activity helps pupils to focus on certain topics (e.g. prepositions, verbs in past tense, personal pronouns). In conclusion, I consider that teaching a target language requires lots of effort since there are students with different learning styles and needs, so English professors should adapt their materials so as to make their students learn the language successfully.

These pictures show some possible tasks you can apply to teach the target language by having fun.

Playing videos about the target language culture

Making debates, pair conversations or role plays

Giving students the lyrics of a song and working with gap-filling activities where students have to complete with specific information as they listen to the song.

References for additional information

ü  Bosley, the Language Bear ,. (2013). Exposure to the Target Language: How Much is Necessary? - Bosley, the Language Bear. Retrieved 27 November 2014, from http://www.thelanguagebear.com/exposure-to-the-target-language-how-much-is-necessary/Exposure to the Target Language: How Much is Necessary? - Bosley, the Language Bear ww.thelanguagebear.com

ü  Hismanoglu - Language Learning Strategies in Foreign Language Learning and Teaching (TESL/TEFL) Iteslj.org,. (2014). Hismanoglu - Language Learning Strategies in Foreign Language Learning and Teaching (TESL/TEFL). Retrieved 27 November 2014, from http://iteslj.org/Articles/Hismanoglu-Strategies.htmliteslj.org

ü  Focus on Form in Classroom Second Language Acquisition Google Books,. (2014). Focus on Form in Classroom Second Language Acquisition. Retrieved 27 November 2014, from  http://books.google.com.ec/books?id=dUc7sLSt1DIC&pg=PA15&dq=learning+a+language+by+focusing+on+form&hl=en&sa=X&ei=9YJ2VKH8LafjsAT_-YG4Ag&ved=0CB8Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=lea