https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279 Briefly share either your experiences or beliefs about the role of one of the following in developing second language proficiency: study abroad, immersion, or computer assisted language learning. (ESL 8130 F19) en-us 2017-04-04 02:23:31 UTC 2020-02-07 02:54:35 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Lightdecrease.png https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/414588589 I believe that studying abroad helps out immensely with second language acquisition. I never had the opportunity to do it myself and it's a big regret that I have. Being able to fully immerse yourself in the language and culture for an extended period of time helps make you aware of all the nuances the language has to offer that can't be taught in the classroom. We've been discussing pragmatics in this class recently and I don't ever remember being taught any pragmatics of French in my high school classes. I was also never taught any slang words or informal ways of speaking. Those things you get by living along side native speakers and that's what study abroad offers you.]]> 2019-11-21 12:32:39 UTC https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/414588589 https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/414777903 After college, I taught a year in the States, then had the opportunity to work with a ministry in St. Petersburg, Russia for almost a year. For the first several months, I was able to take intensive language classes, then do my work within the ministry in the afternoons/ evenings. Taking the courses, along with living in the environment, taking public transportation, buying my own food, making Russian friends, etc.,  forced me to learn things I never would have learned here in the States! I am so thankful for the things I learned that year, and know my language developed exponentially because I was living there while studying the language. ]]> 2019-11-21 16:43:43 UTC https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/414777903 https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/415024573 I am a huge supporter of study abroad experiences. While studying French and Global Studies at the University of Minnesota I had the opportunity to study abroad in the French-speaking West African country of Senegal. Prior to studying abroad I felt okay about my proficiency in French. I would not have said that I was fluent, maybe almost conversational. By going to a country where French was the national language and not many people actually spoke any English, I was forced to learn how to use French in conversation with my host family. Additionally, I took classes at a local research center where I learned all of the concepts in French. We even learned one of the main tribal languages, Wolof. I remember having a few out of body moments in my Wolof classes where I would think, "It is so interesting that I am learning another language through the means of a different acquired language." I loved this experience and only felt more confident in my use of French because of it. Now, however, since I have not used French frequently since college, I feel rusty. But, when I read a news article in French or hear it being spoken, my French brain turns on a little bit. :)]]> 2019-11-21 23:53:29 UTC https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/415024573 https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/415402198 I always had a feeling that it is much better to study languages abroad only when learners reached pre-intermediate level and higher because beginner - elementary level learners would not be able to successfully interact with native speakers due to their limited language skills. Moreover, learning in a classroom would also be challenging for them. I was very pleased that my assumptions were confirmed by many  researchers when I read the chapter in Loewen. If learners want to enhance their language skills, they first have to have at least a good elementary base which can be built in their home country as learning mechanisms do not change regardless EFL or ESL. ESL does provide provide interaction with native speakers on a daily basis but a learner will not acquire much if he/she just started learning a language.
 ]]> 2019-11-22 17:34:37 UTC https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/415402198 https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/415630674 I have learned English since I was in first grade. However, not until I studied abroad in US, I was able to fully understand the pragmatics and usage of the language. Immersed in the environment, I noticed there is a variety of the language. Different walks of people speak differently in the same language. I didn't learn about the variety when I was studying English in a classroom setting. It seemed there was only one kind of English, that is grammatically correct English. In the real world, English has many different styles and ways of speaking the same thing. Therefore, it is very beneficial for a language learner to study abroad and be immersed in the culture so as to experience the variety and understand the language in context.]]> 2019-11-23 10:14:22 UTC https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/415630674 https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/415762811 I'm interested in learning more about immersion instructional model.  What makes the immersion model different from other models?  What are the pros and cons of this specific model? In my teaching experience, I have had students come out of immersion schools ahead and then other students come out behind. I wonder what the research states regarding the connection between immersion school and student language/ academic growth. ]]> 2019-11-24 04:21:01 UTC https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/415762811 https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/415769747 My freshman year I was in a introduction level class for TESOL and was required to learn a language in order to understand what it would be like for our learners. So as a class we were all allowed to use the rosetta stone program that was located in the school library in a reserved room with computers and headphones. As a class we all learned beginning level filipino through the program. I personally didn't find it all that helpful, there was a lot of technological issues, a lot of times the headphones wouldn't work, and all in all we were only required to spend one or two hours on it a week, which for me was not enough to really pick up or learn any of the language]]> 2019-11-24 05:09:20 UTC https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/415769747 https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/415836957 I have had the most success at learning or improving another language when I've been able to be immersed in the culture and the language, either in a study abroad context or working abroad. That said, the first time I was abroad, studying, I was with a small group of students- I think 5 of us. We all started together taking classes for about 3 months, then we went our separate ways to participate in an internship in a different part of the country. When we came back together, it was clear that all of our Spanish had vastly improved! We all noticed and said, well, we were suddenly responsible for communicating, and we could no longer to the strongest speaker among us. I think because I'm such a visual and tactile learner, being in the place is so important for me. Being able to have explicit learning experiences (and all interactions abroad are learning experiences) forces me to get better at a language. I do see the value in being fully immersed in another language and culture; it is interesting to see how identities survive or become created in these other world contexts. ]]> 2019-11-24 15:31:48 UTC https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/415836957 https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/415918134 I actually have not had experience with any of these. I've never studied abroad or interacted with any computer assisted language learning. I also had never heard of immersion schools before moving to the Twin Cities area, so my experience is pretty limited in all of these. I do regret not having taken the chance to study abroad when I was in college. I think it would have been a great experience.

]]> 2019-11-24 22:42:42 UTC https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/415918134 https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/416063324 I'm kind of skeptical about immersion learning. On one hand, if it is done right, it could be incredibly beneficial. But it would have to be very carefully tailored for a student's ZPD and give a lot of opportunities for appropriate practice. If students were no overwhelmed and had a lot of support from teachers, staff, and the ability to practice outside of school it could be amazing. However, if it is just throwing the students in and expecting them to pick up the language, it could be way beyond their ZPD and overwhelm them so they learn much less. I've also heard of hybrid programs where the students go to their regular classes as immersion, but then take ESL parallel with it, and are allowed to get help and support there. This seems to be a good balance, but again, it depends on how it is done.]]> 2019-11-25 10:07:37 UTC https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/416063324 https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/416360533 I have always felt appreciated about my experience of studying abroad. which is the best decision ever. I have learned so much from this experience. I started learning English when I was 6 years old. However, I was not able to communicate with others fluently in English at all. Many people told me that my English would get so much better if I go abroad. It is true because of exposure to the language when living abroad. However, one thing I find out is that studying abroad does not necessarily makes your spoken English better. You might have better reading, writing and listening skills but not much improvement in speaking. Many students who study abroad often hang out with others who speak the same L1 as they do so that they do not necessary speak English all the time. If you really want to improve your English, you will have to push yourself out of the comfort zone to hang out with others who speak different L1 than you do. ]]> 2019-11-25 19:45:58 UTC https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/416360533 areget01 https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/416436914 I am kind of skeptical about computer assisted language learning. I think this even though I have my students use rosetta stone and practice with it. I think I am hesitant when that is the only thing that you use for language learning. A lot of language development has to be done through interaction. I think it is important to socially use language. as well as in a book or on a computer. I worry that computer assisted language learning takes away from interaction and social language. ]]> 2019-11-25 23:48:11 UTC https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/416436914 https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/416932994 In my experience, working abroad had been what had excelled my second language ability to where it is today. Even if I wasn’t actively trying to learn the language, hearing it and encountering it every day seeps into your mind and it becomes familiar over time. I think being in an environment where a target language is actually used  is the best way to engulf your mind in learning. ]]> 2019-11-26 23:13:59 UTC https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/416932994 https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/417255299 While a Freshman in college, I took for Arabic. In the introduction class, we spent most of the class learning the alphabet, how to pronounce, read and write letters. Later, we'd learn how to use salutations, write numbers, etc. Once a week, we would go to the computer lab to work on the Rosetta stone. I learned a few vocabulary terms like 'binta' means girl and 'walid' means boy but it did not help me at all because I still lacked understanding of how letters were combined. Instead of randomly learning vocabulary, I would have preferred to have focused on the alphabet and listen to children's videos and play games to develop proficiency. It wasn't until the 3rd level classes that the Rosetta Stone started to make sense because we had reached that level of Arabic literacy. However, I don't think it is helpful at the beginning of learning a language. ]]> 2019-11-27 19:47:14 UTC https://padlet.com/berg1207/qn6z5n5ju279/wish/417255299