Teach English Now! Foundational Principles

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/english-principles

Introduction

**Course Review: Teach English Now! Foundational Principles** Are you looking to dive into the world of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) or English as a Second Language (ESL) teaching? Coursera's course, **"Teach English Now! Foundational Principles,"** offers a comprehensive gateway for prospective and current teachers. This course does not just teach you techniques; it’s crafted to help educators reflect on and embrace the very essence of effective language teaching. **Course Overview:** The course is designed around seven core language learning paradigms, presented engagingly through relatable metaphors and stories. The structure encourages learners to explore foundational principles such as motivation, risk-taking, and balancing the teaching profession. It also provides a toolkit of strategies to implement in the classroom—from refining teacher talk to managing the ever-important teacher-student dynamic. **Syllabus Breakdown:** - **Module 1: Making Meaning Clear** - Opening with the engaging metaphor of language as cake, this module emphasizes the importance of presentation in teaching. It prepares educators to motivate students and enhance their understanding. Practical techniques like scaffolding language and utilizing body language are outlined, making it clear that these are not just advanced skills but essential starting points for any teacher. - **Module 2: Modes of Learning and Interaction** - This insightful module delves into the significant distinction between language learning and acquisition. The exploration of focused vs. diffuse modes of learning is pivotal in understanding how students can best internalize language. Through the lens of varied teaching methods, teachers are equipped to foster a well-rounded learning environment. - **Module 3: Taking Risks and Learner Strategies** - Here, the course illustrates the importance of risk-taking for learners, anchored by Francois Gouin’s real-life experience with language learning. This module centers on cultivating effective strategies that help students to converse and interact using the language rather than just memorizing. - **Module 4: The Flipped Model of Language Learning** - In an age where digital resources are abundant, this module showcases how the internet can transform language education. The concept of the flipped classroom is introduced, providing educators with innovative methods to engage students in their learning process. - **Module 5: Avoiding Teacher Burnout** - Teaching can often lead to overwhelming stress and burnout; this module targets these challenges head-on. It offers actionable strategies for creating a supportive community of peers, maintaining a constructive classroom environment, and fostering a sense of fulfillment by grounding oneself in core teaching principles. - **Module 6: Assessment** - As a culmination of the previous lessons, this module guides educators in understanding how to assess language acquisition concepts effectively. It artfully ties together the metaphors used throughout the course, ensuring a clear system of reflection and growth. **Conclusion: Recommendation** In summary, **"Teach English Now! Foundational Principles"** is an essential course for anyone entering the EFL/ESL teaching field or for current teachers looking to sharpen their skills. The thoughtful use of metaphors and practical anecdotes makes learning not only informative but enjoyable. By the end of the course, participants will have a robust understanding of essential teaching paradigms and strategies that can be directly applied in their classrooms. Whether you're a new teacher or someone with experience looking to refresh your approach, this course comes highly recommended. With its engaging format and comprehensive syllabus, it equips educators with the tools they need to inspire and teach effectively. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your teaching journey!

Syllabus

Module 1: Making Meaning Clear

This course introduces learners to the role of a teacher in helping to motivate and properly engage learners. It begins with a metaphor: language is cake, meaning that language must be presented well in order to be enjoyed (we will actually perform a skit to show this meaning clearly). This module will demonstrate how a teacher can encourage a student and increase motivation by paying attention to techniques such as improving teacher talk, scaffolding language, and the use of body language to make meaning clear. All of these skills, while gained over the course of a lifetime as a language teacher, must be considered primary goals from the very beginning. And all of these skills help a teacher recognize that presentation skills make a difference to learners not only in motivating them, but in allowing them to understand the concepts presented.

In this module, learners are introduced to the distinction between learning and acquisition. The distinction is made to help give learners context for the principle that language requires practice. To introduce the importance of practice, the distinction between a focused and diffuse mode of learning demonstrates that students who simply learn through memorizing vocabulary and grammar structures (i.e., focused mode) often don’t acquire language structures. On the other hand, teachers who engage students in both a focused and diffuse mode, like a basketball coach with his players, are able to instruct but give time for that instruction to “sink in” through dedicated practice.

Using language-learning expert Francois Gouin’s experience of going to Germany and failing to learn German, this module demonstrates the need for learners to understand how a language is learned. Gouin’s experience demonstrates not only the need for a diffuse mode of learning wherein practice is valued, but it also demonstrates the psyche of many second language learners. Francois, in some sense, was too smart for his own good, relying on techniques for learning material that don’t apply to language use and application. Students must use techniques and strategies that are proven to help someone acquire language, like those from the good language learner studies. Teachers can facilitate student learning by helping to demonstrate good language learner principles.

While it was once considered impossible to be immersed in English outside of an English-speaking country, with the advent of the internet, the world has changed and continues to change significantly. This module presents ways in which to use the internet and other resources to a teacher’s advantage, and helps a teacher recognize their ability to engage students on cell phones, tablets, and computers. Introduction of the flipped classroom, meaning that learners can engage in focused material (videos, readings, etc) outside the classroom, and then engage in projects, exercises, and discussions within it.

This module introduces the concept of teacher burnout, and several techniques to avoid it. The first technique is the creation of a network. By creating a network of teachers to help you understand your field, you can learn new ideas and have a resource for solving difficult problems. The second technique, maintaining control of your teaching environment, demonstrates the need for teachers to understand how to best make a difference and avoid the pitfalls of complaining. Finally, the third technique, finding your core, explains that teachers can paradoxically maintain energy by working tirelessly for the principles they most believe in.

This review of the course guides learners to understand the different metaphors that serve as guides to understanding the foundational principles presented in this course.