English as a Second Language Course - Essay Example

Reading activities are aimed at increasing reading comprehension, developing vocabulary and research skills. Writing activities are aimed at developing accuracy in written information through simple compositions and accomplishing forms. The course consists of 12 modules. According to Chamut (1995), cognitive language learning fosters school achievement of students who are learning through the medium of a second language. Non-native English speakers face problems in learning academic subjects which use English as the medium of instruction.

Due to the widespread use of English worldwide, language courses in English have become part of the academic curriculum in most countries. However, the English course in these situations take on the nature of a foreign language course and fails to really develop language proficiency skills in terms of comprehension, vocabulary and research skills due to limited usage of the language in everyday life. The instructional problem that arises therefore, is how to build on the existing language knowledge of English and implement a training strategy that hones English literacy skills allowing the participants to develop the ability to use oral and written English for daily needs, develop basic conversation skills and vocabulary, and use simple sentence patterns.

The training is base. The instructional problem relates to a cognitive domain performance issues that can be solved by training. The goal of instructional programs is to build knowledge and skills that can be re-used for later learning or in various life situations, such as career. ESL training to help improve academic performance specifically addresses the problem of cognitive domain performance, maximizing the student's cognitive processes that will result in learning and minimizing those that disrupt learning (Clark & Harrelson 2002).

Training in English as a second language is suitable for computer and web-based training because the learner can think, respond and give feedback on the subject, a stimulating environment can be presented where the learner can learn at his own pace, the learner can take the course at his convenience without any expense of time or travel, it can be made accessible to a wide audience, it can be conveniently used by the physically challenged, and content can be easily updated (seo 2007). The tutorial method of teaching present situations and questions, suggest ideas that coincide with the topic being studied, and force students to come up with their own solutions.

The instructor's in the tutorial atmosphere is to pose constructive questions that will lead the students in the right direction. Such a scenario can easily be implemented in ESL W/CBT because the computer or instruction software can untiringly assume the role of the tutorial instructor. In face-to-face teacher-student interactions, the tutorial method may pose problems because it is time consuming and may require multiple instructors for different levels of learners (Angiono