THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGIES IN SECOND LANGUAGE TEACHING AND LEARNING

It is quite obvious that with the past of the years, the second language teaching and learning have evolved using different technologies in order to accomplish the goals of students and teachers. Those technologies have served as tools in many classrooms where a second language is taught, and somehow they are now playing a central role in second language teaching and learning.

With the evolution of technologies, teachers and students have seen the necessity of changing the approaches to teach and also to learn a second language. Showing new media and entertainment, technologies have opened the world for many people who now find in technologies such as videos, internet, and computers the easiest way of the world to teach and study second language. An amazing software that contains virtual dictionaries and exams is just one of the hundreds of options that technologies offer. Indeed, technologies are showing a very attractive way to teach and learn a second language that people can just not ignore.

Moreover, technologies allow teachers and students to have access to data that can answer their questions about either how to teach or how to learn a second language. Many web pages have been created exclusively to second language learning, and many people are using them.

Finally, teachers and students should be aware that technologies have better their chances to teach and learn a second language. Why should not they star letting technologies play a central role in second language teaching and learning?

 

THE ROLE OF RESEARCH IN IMPROVING OUR UNDERSTANDING OF TEACHING

As teachers, we acquire experience throughout the time we practice this profession. Experience gives us certain knowledge to understand what teaching is about; however, we can not ignored an indispensable aspect in every teacher’s life: Research. Research is an important tool that helps us improve our understanding of the teaching process.

Research allows teachers to have theoretical bases in order to have good classes. Theoretical bases provide methodologies, approaches, and techniques used in the teaching process. Undoubtedly, teachers can not get to know this knowledge without making some research. By researching, teachers have the opportunity to put theory into practice; they can try many sorts of teaching methods so that they find out a method that best suits their students’ needs.

Also, research helps teachers perform a good role. Teachers interested in having the best classes look for information sources that give guidelines of how to organize the development of a class. Different ways of making effective lesson plans are set in books and web pages; and good teachers are aware that they can not be devoid of such information.

Finally, research provides teachers necessary information for them to understand how students behave. Students behavior can be understood when reading what psycho-pedagogic books say about learners’ attitudes. Psycho pedagogy gives enough information to help teachers have empathy when students are going through difficult situations that hinder students’ learning.

As a matter of fact, research plays a very important role in every teacher’s life. Research makes teachers stand out; thus, teachers feel satisfied and proud of their jobs!

MY EXPERIENCE LEARNING ENGLISH

 

My experience learning English as a foreign language has been very rewarding. At the very beginning, I had no idea about English, in fact, before starting studying English, I thought I did not like it. So learning English seemed to be a huge challenge to me. Later, I discovered my gift to learn a new language easily, so, I began enjoying my English classes. Nowadays, I experience great satisfaction every time I produce something in English accurately. Moreover, the ability of speaking English has open many doors to me. My English learning process has not finished yet, and I think it will continue during the rest of my life.

Undoubtedly, I have had many different kind of teachers, but I am certainly sure that no matter what kind of teachers they are, all of them have used the direct method to teach English to me. My teachers never use Spanish in their classes. In addition, they always use English, and they focus on the four macro skills of English: speaking, writing, reading, and listening. As a matter a fact, I found the direct method very effective since having been taught by teachers who use this method, I have learnt a lot!