English Language Learners - Essay Example

Running head: EDUCATION i ENGLISH-LANGUAGE LEARNERS Presented By goes here] To [your goes here] [Your class name goes here] [Your university’s name] [Due date of the paper] Teaching Students in Primary Language Primary language plays a key role in success of a student. It not only helps students understand the concepts but also helps them communicate with each other properly. There are some advantages and disadvantages of teaching students in their primary languages. Let us discuss those advantages and disadvantages in detail. Advantages Some of the most considerable benefits include better understanding of course material, better communication with teachers, and better exam performance. 1. Better Understanding of Course Primary language teaching helps both teachers and students. Teachers are able to transfer knowledge to their students easily. It is also easy for the students to understand the concepts in their native languages because of their familiarity with those languages. 2. Better Communication with Teachers Primary language also helps teachers and students properly communicate with each other. Students can ask questions to their teachers in their native languages, which is not easy if the communication language is other than their native languages. Moreover, students can also share their ideas more effectively with their teachers. 3. Better Exam Performance Improved exam performance is another advantage of teaching students in their primary languages. Students properly understand the concepts in their primary languages. As a result, they are able to deliver good results. Students are able to write what come in their minds. They do not have to translate their thoughts in order to write them on paper. Disadvantages Teaching in primary languages also has a couple of disadvantages. Those disadvantages include poor grades in international exams and decreased job opportunities. 1. Poor Grades in International Exams Those students, who get education in their native languages, find it difficult to show good performances in international exams because the testing language for most of the international exams is English. Students having less knowledge of English language cannot understand the exam questions properly which results in poor exam performance. 2. Decreased Job Opportunities Today, most of the companies prefer to hire such individuals who are proficient in speaking English language. Those students, who have less understanding of English, are unable to get high paying jobs. Thus, the number of job opportunities decrease for such students, which is a major disadvantage of being less proficient in speaking English. English Language Instruction I personally believe that English language instruction should replace native language instruction. The reason is that English has become a global language. “English language, as of today, has come to be known as the global language of the world” (Bahadur, 2012). If we analyze different languages that people speak in different parts of the world, we come to know that English is the language, which has the highest speaking rate. Yorke (2007) states, “English is a global language that allows many diverse peoples around the world to communicate when they dont speak, read, write, or understand one anothers language”. People belonging to different parts of the world not only understand English language but also they can speak it well. English language has been included in many of the bilingual programs, which validates its importance as a major instruction language (Marlowe & Canestrari, 2006, p. 154). The reason is that English is a language, which people use for medical, business, and scientific communication all over the world. Many scholars and researchers prefer to do their scientific and medical researches in English because of its high understandability and speaking rate. Countries can progress only if their citizens get high quality education from the best universities of the world. Today, the United States of America and the United Kingdom are leaders in providing excellent education to their students enrolled in any course of study. The language of instruction used in both of these countries is English. Today, in many countries, most of the business dealings take place in English language. “The business world has need for the global language of English as well” (Rimando, 2010). Many marketers use English language to reach local and international customers. The reason is that English has almost become the second language in every country. In many countries, people usually understand two languages, which include their native language and English. Marketers also know the fact that marketing of any product in some other language cannot produce the results, which it can produce with English language. Therefore, they use English to market their products in international markets. In some countries like Pakistan and India, English is the academic language even though the regional and national languages are different in those countries. It is because the ministries of education of these countries believe in the importance of English language. Therefore, we can say that English should be the instruction language because it brings academic and professional success to the students. Today, a major portion of the working class from the underdeveloped countries is working in the developed countries, such as America, England, and Canada. In all of these countries, English is the language, which people use in every social, political, and professional matter. Those people, who go from other countries to these countries for any purpose, need to have a good understanding of the English language in order to be successful. Therefore, we can say that English should be the global language because of its present and predicted widespread use in every part of the world. Ideal Program for an English Language Learner An ideal program for English language learners is one, which accommodates all learning needs of the students. The motive of the instructor should be to make students competent in speaking, reading, and listening areas. An ideal program should include real world tasks for the students as well as classes for improving English speaking, listening, and writing. The program should also include vocabulary-enhancing classes to improve vocabulary of the students. Oral communication also holds importance for a language learning class. It helps students increase their speaking skills. The program should include a variety of real world tasks to help students use English language in daily life. Real world tasks make the students understand and speak a language fluently. Given below is a proposed two-month English language-learning program for students who want to improve their English. Duration of the course: 8 weeks Week 1 and 2: Grammar and vocabulary Week 3 and 4: Improving listening Week 5 and 6: Writing practice (Application, letters, essays) Week 7: Oral communication Week 8: Real-World tasks This is an ideal English language-learning program, which can help students improve their listening, writing and communicating abilities. References Bahadur, A. (2012). Importance of English Language. Retrieved from http://ezinearticles.com/?Importance-of-English-Language&id=6832985 Marlowe, B., & Canestrari, A. (2006). Educational Psychology in Context: Readings for Future Teachers. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Rimando, G. (2010). Global Language of English - The Importance of Learning English. Retrieved from http://ezinearticles.com/?Global-Language-of-English---The-Importance-of-Learning-English&id=5055631 Yorke, E. (2007). English as a global language, a good or bad thing?. Retrieved from http://www.helium.com/items/176595-english-as-a-global-language-a-good-or-bad-thing Read More