 |
English Learning Resources: Variety and Motivation
Author: Luke Holden  | Posted: 24-02-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 13 | Rating: (50)  (?) 
It is worth noting that new learners of a language really do need to build a solid foundation of knowledge before attempting anything else, and it is most useful for them to use material intended for that purpose such as structured textbooks and some websites for beginners. Both of these types offer constructive examples with relative variety. The good news is that for English learners with at least a basic level of ability, there is an abundance of material available as learning resources. In order to create some order of what exactly is available, the following three categories have been constructed;
'Authentic material' is material which has not been created for the classroom. It can be thought of as original and unedited, and covers areas like newspapers and magazines, business reports, leaflets and brochures, novels, and more. The advantage to using authentic material as a study aid is that you can get a first hand idea of how to apply your English knowledge to real, everyday situations. The problem for many learners is that they don't feel that they can use their knowledge, but authentic material crosses that bridge and is an endless source of interesting and varied information. For example, in a newspaper alone you can learn about world events, improve your general knowledge with related reports, or simply find out what is on television in another country. Authentic material has such huge diversity that a learner can always find something relevant to their needs or interests, and new authentic material is being created everyday.
'Non-authentic material' is material which has been designed for the classroom, and is usually edited to make it appropriate to a particular level of English. This kind of resource is best found in the classroom from certified esl and tefl teachers, or in the school itself. It's a very effective form of learning and covers categories like word searches, dialogues and worksheets, amongst others. Correctly designed non-authentic material has been built with a teaching idea or topic in mind, and should focus on helping the learner to understand a specific point of knowledge relating to grammar or vocabulary. The English learner who wants to understand an exact concept can use non-authentic material as a strong and useful tool, and then move back into authentic material for the application.
'Online material' is technically both authentic and non-authentic, but has been put into its own category because it is such a unique phenomenon. The growth of the internet over the last twenty years has helped numerous groups of people, with language learners at the forefront. A massive number of websites to help English learners has emerged, as Google proves with 85 million results for the phrase 'learn English.' Without a doubt, the internet connects the world and does so by uniting people from different countries and backgrounds, and who speak different languages. For English learners, the internet offers educational websites, but is not limited to that alone. It also has a huge selection of free authentic and non-authentic resources to cater for every need, and will continue to do so for years to come.
As has been shown, the availability of English learning resources is seemingly endless and ever-increasing. Knowing which type of material is most useful for which lesson is a matter of experience and unique to the individual, but by combining authentic, non-authentic and the internet together, any English student can succeed in their search for English learning resources.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/languages-articles/english-learning-resources-variety-and-motivation-340643.html
About the Author:Luke Holden is an experienced English teacher, living and working in Beijing.He is the proud owner of AEnglish.net, a collection of learning resources and advice run exclusively by English native speakers
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
Effective Learning - Four Keys to Success
By: Brian Walsh | 28/03/2006 | Education
Students are not often taught HOW to learn. These tips are an excerpt from Brian Walsh's book on accelerated learning. Although following these recommendations will greatly help an elementary or high school students, they are equally effective for those i
How Emotions and Feelings Shape Learning
By: Brian Walsh | 28/03/2006 | Advice
Many parents, and indeed instructors, don't have a clue how the emotional state of learners can affect how well they integrate information. In this excerpt from his book on accelerated learning, Brian Walsh gives us a peek at this rarely-considered factor
Learning a Foreign Language? Find the Similarities. How?
By: Kathy Steinemann | 21/05/2007 | Languages
Even if you don't know a single word of German, you can probably read and understand the following German text. Did you know that English and German descended from the same language? (Proto-Germanic) Many words in both languages are the same or similar.
The 7 Pillars your Authentic Self Stands on - the Essential Companion Series
By: Meira Segev-Mark | 28/12/2007 | Self Help
The simple Truths and Tools to help you Jump Start Your Life to Success and Empowerment.
Thirty positive actions for a sustainable Earth
By: Simon Mitchell | 13/09/2005 | Environment
Possible, separate waste into
compost material, bottles, tins, paper, clothing etc and make
sure that these get recycled. See if your local council has a
policy for recycling,.
The Ways Of Wisdom: Learning To Learn And Leaving A Legacy
By: Saijin Kurash | 19/10/2006 | Careers
Article 2 of a 10-Part Series
Welcome back to all of you Wise Old Owls!
In this article we take a novel look at learning to learn and the expression of knowledge learned as wisdom.
Study Skills -- A Good Place To Study
By: Gene Grzywacz | 29/12/2007 | Education
Any ole place will do when it is time to study, right? Wrong, there are some places that are much better to try and study than others. So what makes them good or bad? How does a student know if they are in the correct place or with the right...
The Importance Of English As A Second Language
By: Wolfgang Jaegel | 11/10/2007 | Education
English as a Second Language (ESL), alternatively known as English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL), refers to an intensive English language learning program or course taken by speakers of other languages.
More from Luke Holden
Cover Letters; a Summary of What to Include
By: Luke Holden | 21/03/2008 | Recruitment
Cover letters are vital additions to resumes and CVs when trying to secure that first interview. Whilst resumes can sometimes be general in topic and information, a cover letter should be completely unique to the company at hand. This article will attempt to explain the different types of cover letters which are available, and then give advice about what should be included.
Writing a Cv; Tips for Success
By: Luke Holden | 28/02/2008 | Resumes
The value of a well written CV to a student, or even an experienced professional, cannot be overstated. A CV, also known as a resume, is the first stage in the application process and probably the most important. This article will explain the areas which need to be covered in a CV and will also explain some of the most important details to include.
Improve your Vocabulary: Learning Made Easy
By: Luke Holden | 10/11/2007 | Languages
Improving your vocabulary takes time and hard work, but it is definitely worth it.
With the advice given in this article and a dedicated learning period of 20 minutes a day from you, a varied vocabulary will be yours in no time!
|
|
Education 
