Reading Reaction Journal # 5

Reference:

Case, Alex (2008). "Why does my teacher make me use an English-English Dictionary?" Just landed from English Usage+ Why does my teacher make me use an English-English Dictionary?. Retrieved on Oct. 4, 2010 from http://usingenglish.com/articles/why-dies-my-teacher-make-me-use-an-englishenglish-dictionary.html

Summary:

In this article, by Alex Case, it shows the good reasons for using an English-English Dictionary in a classroom. It is hard work to use a monolingual dictionary, but it is worth it at the end. Teachers should ask thier students to use an English-English dictionary by stopping translating any word into their own language and letting them in order to get them try to know the meaning of any word in English. There are different monolingual dictionaries available according to the students' level such as Intermediate Learner' Dictionary. Consequently, they can learn vocabulary and grammar words at the same time. So, students can learn the English language by trying to do some excercises in the textbook, speaking with a teacher who doesn't speak their own language, and reducing the use of electronic dictionary which takes more time.

Reaction:

I gree with Alex Case that using an English-English Dictionary is gard in the beginning but it is worth it at the end. So, all English teachers shouldn't allow the students to use any bilingual dictionary because by using it, they will not take the benefit from studying vocabulary. Also, some students depend on memorizing the meaning of any word in their own language without trying to look up the meaning from the monolingual dictionary. Actually, I don't mind knowing of the word in your own language, butthat doesn't mean you ignore the definition, grammar, and synonym of that word from the dictionary. Moreover, I recommend that all my students use Cambridge Dictionary of American English because it is very useful and helpful. I really like to use it to translate any difficult word. Students also can practice their vocabulary by asking their teachers to explain the meaning of any difficult word, and doing some textbook exercises require writing definitons or aynonyms. In short, using a monolingual dictionary is very important for the students to improve their vocabulary skill.

Reading Reaction Journal #4

Reference:

Lee, Michael (2008, Jan.30). "Improve Your Reading Skill-Great Speed Reading Tips". Just landed from Improve Your Reading Skill-Great Speed Reading Tips. Retrieved on Sep. 27, 2010 from http://www.articlesbase.com/self-improvement-articles/improve-your-reading-skill-great- speed reading-tips-319929.html.

Summary:

In the article, "Improve Your Reading Skill-Great Speed Reading Tips" by Michael Lee, it shows how the readers can improve their reading skills by following some helpful tips. The first tip is keeping your focus on the information and the material that you read. But if you get bored, try to take a break then go back to your reading. Second, try to use your hand to follow your reading and to keep on your concentration. Good readers know how to be selective on reading any material. Finally, practice and regular reading are the most important tips because the reader will notice his or her reading skill improve in a short time.

Reaction:

I agree with Lee that reading skill is very important and it needs to follow some tips to become a good reader. Many people, even me, face many difficulties in reading long materials. I think that the situation depends on the lucidity of information and the vocabulary which the writer uses in his or her writing. That is because some writers use difficult words in one sentence that make the reader very confused and feel bored. Others write about the same topic with simple words, so the reader becomes interested and feels happy through reading. In addition, practicing your reading skill is very important. The person who is used to practicing reading newspapers, magazines, articles, and books is able to focus on some important information on the material which he or she is reading. He or she knows how to do scanning, previewing, and skimming to get the important information. Unfortunately, when I was a small student, my teachers taught me how to copy the answers from the passage. They did not teach me how to paraphrase the answers by my own words. We really need to practice how to pick up the significant information which can help.

Reading Reaction Journal # 3

Reference:
Evans, Lynne (Sep. 3, 2010). Shared Writing is not Just For Early Years and Young Learners. Just landed from Language Study+English as a Second Lamguage (ESL). Retrived on Sep.20, 2010 from http://www.suite101.com/content/shared-witing-is-not just-for-early-years-and-young-learners-a281871

Summary:
In the article, " Shared Writing is not Just For Early Years and Young Learners", Lynne Evans explains how shared writing is useful for the students who want to take an exam and who are weak at writing. It is also helpful for the students who learn English as a second language. teachers have to follow different techniques to teach students how to write a good paragraph. Teachers can use shared writing in the classrooms by dividing the students into groups and asking them to write a story. In addition, Students write some sentences on the board until the story is completed. Then teachers correct the grammar and spelling mistakes. After that, hey reject some sentences which are not related to the topic. The teachers make more practice for the students until they develop thier writing skills.

Reaction:
I agree with Evans that writing skill is very important for the weak people and non-native speakers. Some students have learned this skill for 7 years or more, but their writing skills have not been developed. In fact, those students didn't find the perfect atmosphere that enables them to learn, such as extra classes in their schools. Also, some teachers don't use different ways in teaching this skill. They just give the students the types of writing and tell them how to write orally. After that, they ask them to write an essay at home. This is absolutely wrong way in learning writing. I really like Evans' way when he explains how to write a complete story by using shared writing in groups. This is very helpful for the beginners to understand how they combine sentences together until it becomes a complete paragraph. Finally, when I come back to my country, I will follow some interesting techniques that I have learned in CESL and that I have read about in this article.