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  3. Some people say that it’s better to teach students language in small classes

Some people say that it’s better to teach students language in small classes

游客2024-01-09  63
问题     Some people say that it’s better to teach students language in small classes, while others think the number of people does not matter. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. (2014-12-04)
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答案     Acquisition of language is a very complex phenomenon.
    A small child absorbs its native language, or if two languages are spoken to it simultaneously (for example by the mother and the father), it can learn two. It is also known that young children learn more easily than adults, which is why Dutch and German children start foreign languages when they start school at 6.
    For adult learners it is usual to divide the skills required into four groups, reading, writing, listening and speaking. The method of teaching usually depends heavily on the money available, so what is best often means what can be afforded.
    Reading skills could be taught initially to a larger group of about 30, because a student has to recognise and remember words. Once a higher level is reached where expression is important this is far better achieved in a small group and individually, where the teacher can listen to and correct the reader. Fast, fluent reading can be learnt as a group of about 30 as technique is involved and competent readers can practise themselves.
    Writing, the actual putting pen to paper, is a motor skill and some students find it easy whilst others find it difficult. It is important that the teacher can see that the letters are properly formed and in the right way, otherwise fast writing is difficult, so a small group is ideal. Once students have mastered the mechanics of writing, they need practice and that can be done at home. The higher skill levels need teaching, and group size is limited by the time available to the teacher to correct and comment on work. Working in a group can make discussion about good words and phrases useful.
    Listening skills depend on what is available. Listening to a teacher is easier than listening to plays, television programmes or a discussion. More can be achieved with a smaller group because the teacher can judge the level of understanding much better. All these three could, if necessary, be at least introduced to a lecture theatre full of students, but, at a higher level, especially for students who are struggling, much smaller groups, even one to one, is ideal.
    Speaking is different. A student cannot learn to hold a conversation in a huge group. At a very basic level students can chorus sentences and replies, but real conversation which needs quick thinking is just not possible.
    It is important that young people learn languages and motivation is a vital key. How they are taught depends on what is available such as language laboratories, computers, books, or native speakers of the target language. In an ideal world teachers would have all this at their disposal and could teach some aspects, like watching a play on video to a large group, but having time and resources to teach very small groups. It is those countries that have most incentive and the best resources who produce the best linguists.
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