Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Teaching & Education

Synonym:

A synonym is a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another lexeme in the same language. We can distinguish 2 different sub-forms:

• Total synonyms: airman - pilot or car - automobile
• Partial synonyms: car – vehicle

Metaphor:

A figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them

Ex: 'Life is a journey.'

Differentiation:

The differentiation are the different reading of a sentence that is determined by the context.

Ex: I understand what you have said:

• I see your point.
• I can understand your language.

The Principle of Consistent Interpretation:

At the level of utterance meaning, a composite expression is always interpreted... Continue reading "Understanding Language: Synonyms, Metaphors, and Differentiation" »

1. Blame it all on: Mr. Selfridge

He was the first person to write the phrase: "The customer is always right." He always thought that the customer always has to win.

2. Empty vs Full Words: Sarah Hatter

Sarah Hatter talks about achieving the best customer communication by first taking care of your daily basis, curating your language, removing robotic and empty words, and adding more sincere and human "full" words.

• Empty words: feedback, issue, we don't
• Full words: Thank you, really sorry, great idea

3. The New Times

This section discusses why customer service in hospitality is everything. The days when customers were happy only to receive thanks are gone. We have to take into account the level of customer satisfaction to provide the best customer... Continue reading "The Customer is Always Right: Exploring Modern Customer Service" »

Approach

Philosophy about teaching and learning a second language. Principles concerning the nature of language.

Method

System of principles and rules about learning a second language. The overall plan for the instruction of the target language, which is strictly based on and consistent with the selected approach.

Technique

Implementational. It is any activity that actually takes place in the classroom in harmony with the preferred method.

Total Physical Response

Parents have “large body conversations” with their children. The parent instructs, and the child physically responds to this. Even though it can't speak during this time, the child is taking in all of language. The teacher then says the command and the students all do the action. Repeating... Continue reading "Approach, Method, and Technique in Second Language Learning" »

Gun Control

The Debate on Teachers Carrying Guns

After the incident that happened in Florida last February, Donald Trump proposed that teachers should carry guns in schools. Is this the best solution?

I think it is one of the worst ideas he could have suggested. Both teachers and students could be affected, regardless of age, as it depends on the individual's mindset.

Despite the occurrence of many crimes like this, I cannot understand why some people support the sale of weapons.

Nevertheless, there are people who are beginning to speak out against it, and this is a positive development.

The Need for Stricter Gun Laws

The first step we should take is to ban the sale of weapons worldwide. If we achieve this, things will change.

Feminism

The #MeToo Movement

This... Continue reading "Social Issues in the 21st Century: Gun Control, Feminism, and Immigration" »

Linguistic Theories of Language

1. Behaviorism: According to behaviorism, habits form when learners' responses to external stimuli are positively reinforced. To behaviorist psychologists, language is another form of behavior that can be conditioned. The language teaching method associated with behaviorism is called audiolingualism. In this method, the stimulus-response-reinforcement cycle is realized through practice drills.

2. Structuralism: Originating partly from the work of Saussure, structuralism posits that language is speech, not writing. This means spoken language is paramount, and what a native speaker says is vital for learning.

3. Humanism: Humanistic approaches emerged in the mid-twentieth century, partly as a reaction to "de-humanizing" psychology.

1. Learning Theories and Their Influence on Learning

Behaviorism (Motivation through Rewards and Punishments)

Behaviorism is a learning theory based on the idea that learning occurs through pleasurable or painful consequences (positive/negative reinforcers and punishments). It focuses on controlling and developing motivation.

Cognitivism (Memorization and Information Processing)

Cognitivism explores how information is received, organized, stored, and retrieved by the mind through the processes of retention and recall. It aims to increase lexical items and improve memory.

Constructivism (Creating Your Own Knowledge)

Constructivism emphasizes the creation of knowledge from experiences and ideas. It encourages peer group/class discussions and allows... Continue reading "Learning Theories and Their Impact on Language Acquisition" »

English Vocabulary

Sentiments

• Amusing - divertit
• Upsetting - inquietant
• Embarrassing - incòmode
• Worrying - preocupant
• Inspiring - inspirador
• Frightening - espantós
• Annoying - molesta
• Confusing - confús
• Relaxing - relaxant
• Fascinating - fascinant
• Frustrating - frustrant

Tecnologia

• Browse - navegar
• Charge - carregar
• Download - descarregar
• Message - enviar un missatge
• Plug in - connectar
• Press - prémer
• Scroll - desplaçar-se
• Stream - transmetre
• Swipe - fer lliscar el dit
• Switch off - apagar
• Switch on - encendre
• Tap - tocar
• Unplug - desconnectar
• Update - actualitzar

Grammar Reference

Present Perfect and Past Simple

COMMUNITY LANGUAGE LEARNING (CLL)

Who Invented It?

Charles A. Curran

How Is It Carried Out?

A group of learners sits in a circle with the teacher standing outside the circle. A student whispers a message in their native language to the teacher. The teacher translates it into the foreign language. The student repeats the message in the foreign language. Students then compose further messages in the foreign language.

What Are the Five Stages in CLL?

1. Birth Stage: A feeling of security and belonging is established.
2. The learner's abilities improve.
3. The learner speaks independently and may need to assert his or her own identity.
4. The learner is seen as secure enough to take criticism.
5. The learner works upon improving style and knowledge.

When Is CLL Used?

It... Continue reading "Overview of Language Teaching Methods" »

Clear L

Before vowels, in word initial, word medial (leave, let, feel, it, will, you, silly, yellow)

Fully Devoiced

Unvoiced plosives in accented syllables PTK + L (play, please, close)

Partially Devoiced

Unvoiced plosives in unaccented syllables (butler, antler, clarinet) unvoiced fricatives + L (fling, flow, half)

Dark L

Final position, after vowel (feel, fill, call) after a vowel, before a consonant (help, cold, milk)

R

Final position link with the following word beginning with a vowel (far, way, for, all)

Fully voiced: followed by a vowel (raet, red)

Fully devoiced: accented unvoiced plosives + R (price, cry, try)

Partially devoiced: fricative or voiced plosive (fry, free)

Linking J

/i:, i, ei, ai, oi/ + vowel (enjoy it, me and you)

Linking W

/u, u:, au,... Continue reading "English Phonetics: Voicing and Articulation" »