Application

For the second time, study the letter written by the student given as a sample in the beginning of this
lesson. Given the importance and functions of linguistics in language teaching, determine all the errors
committed by the student. Assuming that you were the teacher, give comments as annotations in the
letter. How would you help the student improve on his use of the language? What steps are you going to
undertake?

ANSWER:

When we learn our native language, first we listen, then we speak, then we read and finally we write.
Assuming that I were a teacher, the steps that I will do that would help my students to improve on how
they use language appropriately. I will teach them the four language skills that they need to develop to
complete communication which are listening, reading, speaking and writing. Let’s us find tips that will
help us to overcome the difficulties that we might be experiencing to improve or English skills.

7 tips for teaching English to beginners

Keep instructions clear and simple.

Let them listen first.

Drill, repeat, drill, repeat, drill.

Establish classroom language early on.

Avoid metalanguage.

Don't forget that your students are fluent in their own language(s).

Prepare well, prepare a lot, keep them talking.

Feedback

Directions:

In not less than 200 words, write and send your Linguistics instructor an email containing a persuasive
essay about how important linguistics is to you as a future language teacher.

Linguistics helps teachers convey the origins of words and languages, their historical applications, and
their modern day relevance. Combined, this approach to teaching language helps students gain a better,
more in-depth understanding of their assignments and work product expectations. As a future language
teacher the important of linguistics to me is to be more aware on how to use language appropriately
that I can teach my students in the most effective way, because linguistics is to help guard against self-
embarrassment, using words that are common, but have historical context that may make them
inappropriate or insulting in polite society. As a student, I need to practice myself in using language
because I know that practice makes perfect, that I should know what is my weaknesses that I need to
learn from it. Teaching and studying linguistics provides the tools necessary to preserve and advance the
art of reading, writing and communication. Teaching and learning through an additional language
encourages understanding between cultures, improves students' cognitive ability and prepares them for
life beyond school. Knowledge of other languages encourages new ways of thinking and of perceiving
the world. One way to achieve this is for teachers to become more language aware. These challenges
might arise because a student is learning a subject through an additional language or it might be the first
time a student has come across certain vocabulary or structures in their first language. A teacher who is
language aware understands why students face these difficulties and what they can do to support
students. If students’ language is sufficiently well developed and supported by the teacher, learning
through an additional language can be cognitively stimulating. In contrast to many traditional language
lessons, students are learning meaningful content through the language rather than simply learning the
language itself. The language becomes a tool for critical thinking and communication and allows
students access to authentic and relevant subject content and terminology.