RRJ #2: English Tutoring Activities

Reference:

Grover, Sam (2010,Sept. 1). English Tutoring Activites. Just landed from Language study + English as a second language (ESL). Retrieved on Sep. 7, 2010 from www.suite101.com/english-tutoring-activities-a281057.

Summary:

This article discusses some aspects of teaching English to speakers of other languages. There are many activities that attract the students to learn the speaking skills. First, the students can play some simple games by using the note cards. Also, the age is not an essential issue in learning. Second, the adult can listen to the popular songs while the children can listen to some children's songs to learn good pronunciation. Third, the students should try to improve thier conversation skill by writing about some topics and trying to talk about them in front of the tutor and the students.

Reaction:

There are many ways that enable the students to improve their speaking skills. I am totally agreed with the writer that games, songs, and conversation activities are the successful ways in learning English. I think that the students, even me, are very interested in some external activities more than the standard classrooms at the schools. They prefer to work as groups and prefer it when there are no tests or grades. The students can also practice their English by speaking with their friends outside the classrooms. They can go to the bank or any restaurant to practice their conversation skill. Actually, most of the American people are friendly and they can understand you by listening to you very well and trying to help you to reach your point in the conversation. So, don't worry about your grammar mistakes; just try to speak as fluently as you can. Then you can pick some grammar mistakes and try to avoid them eventually.

I think that teachers should have more activities, and fewer tests and homeworks. I have a vital insight that supports my point. Actually, Students can memorize the material and copy it in the test's paper. they also can do their homework with others. After that, they will forget everything. BUT when the teacher gives them more activities inside the class, He or she will observe them and he/she can judge who is good and who needs more practice. The teacher should give them some activites which depend on their speaking skills. He or she can ask them to make some dialouge with others and write down their journals or reports about their coversation. By this way, the teacher can evaluate the student's skill in speaking and writing. He or she will tell them what should they do and how they can improve their skills.

RRJ #1 : Teaching English in Saudi Arabia

Reference:

Robert Hughes & Graeme Chesters. (2003 - 2010 ). Teaching English in Saudi Arabia. Just landed from Living and Working in Arabian Gulf States and Saudi Arabia. Retrieved on Aug.28, 2010. From http://www.justlanded.com/english/Saudi-Arabia/Saudi-Arabia-Guide/Jobs/teaching-English-in-Saudi-Arabia.


Summary:

This article discusses where we can teach English Language in Saudi Arabia. English Language is the second language in Saudi Arabia that all people can use to communicate with foreign people in some hotels, air ports, and hospitals. There is some private tuition that gives private English lessons for those who failed and wanted to pass the exam. There is also a British Council that teaches English with native speakers. Saudi Arabia offered some private schools that teach English language from elementary school. There are many language schools that teach the students who have work in the morning and then they attend the class after the work. In the end, some fluent people who can speak English and Arabic can work as translators.



Reaction:

My major is English Language and Literature. I am also an English teacher in a university. I really appreciate what my country does for the students to learn the English Language. But, I admit that it still lacks many things in teaching processes. I started studying English since I was in the first year in the intermediate school. However, My English teachers were Arab. So, that was not a helpful way to learn English at all. I remember one of my Egyptian teachers was pronounced "thing" as "sing". They always exchange some letters and pronounce it wrongly. As a result, we should have native speakers to teach our students the true language. I am thankful that my country taught me an English Language for several years, but I want to say that I still need to improve my English. It has developed since I came to the United States. I hope that I can maintain of my good pronunciation that I picked it up in the US. So, when I return, I will be a better teacher.