Can You Teach a Foreign Language?

@franxav (13837)
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?
8 people like this
10 responses
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 May 18
I have only helped adult women improve their English. It was in a voluntary capacity.
4 people like this
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
Jessa Bumagat
@Jessabuma (31700)
• Baguio, Philippines
31 May 18
@HannahD hehe!!! Thanks
Hannah
@HannahD (121)
•
31 May 18
Your English is well
2 people like this
josefina
@josie_ (10034)
• 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
josefina
@josie_ (10034)
• 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.
josefina
@josie_ (10034)
• Philippines
31 May 18
@MALUSE _True. But if one's purpose is to be able to communicate or at least have a passable conversation, getting the correct accent or mastering the structures of grammar can be place in the back burner. I remember how I hated my Spanish subject in high school because it was a boring class of endless memorization of conjugations and learning grammar.
anamika
@anamika161088 (11866)
• 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
Masha Vickina
@MashaVickina (2184)
• Russian Federation
31 May 18
I am an English teacher
1 person likes this
Xavier Bage
@franxav (13837)
• India
31 May 18
Glad to meet you.
1 person likes 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_ (10034)
• 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.
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 (45120)
• 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 (2631)
• 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
Hanni Harel
@Hannihar (130218)
• Israel
31 May 18
@franxav I have tried to teach people English but not sure I succeeded but I prefer conversational English to teach people.
1 person likes this