Chapter 2: How to be a good learner

Chapter 2How to be a good learner1. Describing a good learner: difficultLearners of English are different in manyaspects, so when examining the qualities of agood learner, it’s important to consider: their background (esp. English language)learning experiencesAge & level 2. The importance of students’ motivationAccording to Garner & Lambert:(1) Integrative motivation: learning English to integrate into the culture of its speakers(2) Instrumental motivation: learning E. as a means to an end (get promoted)Integrative: powerful > instrument one Highly motivated Ss > less motivated one Ss’ motivation: not teacher’s responsibility3. Who is responsible for learning?Good learners are those who:take responsibility for their own learningdon’t wait to be taught Teachers should try and encourage the practice of self-study (at home or self-access centers 4. Characteristics of good classroom learners A willingness to listenA willingness to experimentA willingness to ask questionsA willingness to think about how to learnA willingness to accept correction 5. Teaching adult learnersTheir learning experience : good/badBeing more nervous- afraid of losing face Having a view of the importance of learning greater tolerance of serious learning6. Different levelsBeginners: success as well as failure is easy to see, teaching: great fun & stimulatingIntermediate students: success- not easy to perceive. Ss have known a lot more challenging tasks Advanced students: knowing a lot of English not concentrating on grammar, but helping Ss use language with more subtlety, more responsibility for their own learning 7. Teaching different levelsBeginners: pronunciation practice, dialogues, rough-tuned language esp. when giving instruction, grammar drills Higher levels: not concentrating on language for instruction, discussion, formal debate, essay writing learners’ levels affect teacher’s language for instructions & their choice of learning tasks in class.