Sunday 23 December 2012

CONFUSION IN TEACHING ENGLISH

Many teachers are confused about teaching English. They think they have to teach through grammar. But this is not true. They start with the language patterns that are mastered.

Some time later they may explain what nouns, verbs and adjectives are. But this must not interfere with basic teaching of language.

Our mothers did not say to us " I am going to tell you about the three bears. Now my child, please note my use of present participle and the passive voice".

You will not understand the story if you do not know the grammar. She just told us the story.

In the mastery learning patterns on this blog, the focus is on the patterns. Students learn the patterns first. Grammar can be given once the patterns are mastered. But grammar is not the key.

That is how I taught Tok Pisin at the RAAF School of Languages. Most students in the Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Russian classes were selected for their language aptitude.

The students on the Tok Pisin class were on posting to Papua New Guinea and many had no idea of grammar. So we left it out and just taught patterns. It was a superior way of teaching and learning.

They learned by rhythm and music of the language. Many say they have never forgotten the Tok Pisin basics. Please click:


Yumi go.
Yumi go long taun.
Yumi go antap long maunden.
Yumi go kisim wara.
Yumi go insait long haus.

Bai mi go
Bai mi go long hap.
Bai mi go kisim kaikai.
Bai mi go wantaim yu.
Bai mi go long haus wantaim em.

and so on for hundreds of patterns

So too the PNG students learn by rhythm and music. Why do we not hear poetry recited in schools? Why is there no reading aloud?

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