Monday, February 16, 2009

Reading Reflection Feb 16

This weeks reading was interesting, particularly the teaching listening part of MCM book. I think it was the fist time I have found this much extensive information about the history of listening, the imporatance, the details of the categories, and how to teach it to different levels of ESL/ EFL learners.

Throughout the long process of my learning of English, I was never taught listening. This, I believe, was the reason that when I came to the United States, I felt that I do not know English at all although when I was in my country, I believed that I have an advenced level in English. It was a bit hard for native speakers to understand me while it was very diffecult for me to understand them. I was very disappointed about my English skills. Soon then, I realized that this is because of lack of attention in improving the listening skill, which I also believe is the first skill to be introduced to learners as in the way children learn a language.

These chapters are very important and useful for me and that is why I keep all my books and take them to my country so that I can apply them there. I think my actual learning would start then because it would be very practical.

2 comments:

Lillian Chang said...

I remembered when I first came to the states, I couldn't comprehend what people were saying even though they might have very baisc basic words. But this time I came back, I feel I can understand more then before, but I still sometimes
has misunderstanding or imcomprehensive of meangings during conversation. This is my experience. I also agree with you that listening comes after speaking. It always takes me a while to listen and distinguish the word sounds and understand the meanings before I can apply in my speaking.

Esther Smidt said...

You're learning a lot now. Often we don't realize we're learning while we're in the midst of it. Also, you'll continue learning while you teach (when you go back to your home country) - we never stop learning!