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Tips on How to use Contextual Thinking to Gain a Native-Speaker Level
Learning a second language is definitely not a cup of tea to the learner neither is it a straightforward job for those teaching it. Both teachers and those learning a second language find it hard especially when getting started. However, this is not to imply that it is not possible to learn it. First, the work becomes a lot easier when the person teaching the language understand the connections between the learner’s first language and the second language. This definitely becomes a motivating factor for students. For instance, those learning English as a second language has largely used professional essay writing service companies to get assistance on this matter. This is usually a good starting point and with continued exercise and practice, a learner can sharpen their skills in the new language.
Contextual Thinking in Learning a Second Language
One of the ways that have had a positive impact on the learning of a second language is contextual thinking. Ideally, this is founded upon a constructivist theory of learning and teaching. Learning occurs when teachers are in a position to pass on information in a manner that students can find meaning based on individual experiences. Ideally, contextual thinking and learning experiences can be found in service learning, internships and study abroad programs among several other options. These are the quickest ways to gain native speaker level.
Basically, there are a number of factors connected to the first and second language of a student that determine how they learn the second language. The linguistic distance that exists between these two languages and the proficiency level of the student in the native language are vital in this. Again, the student’s knowledge about the second language also helps. These factors among several others are very helpful to anyone learning a second language. While contextual thinking and learning are of much help for students, these factors accelerate the rate at which they get to learn the second language.
How Contextual Thinking Works For Learners and Teachers
Contextual thinking and learning revolve around solving problems. It recognizes that learning and teaching should take place in various contexts. Through this approach, students get assisted on how to track meaning and therefore have the chance to regulate themselves as they learn. More than that, teaching is anchored in the diverse life of students’ context and they can easily learn from one another. For instance, a student in a study abroad program can easily get to learn from the native speakers in that land. This is not likely to happen in online service writing to help companies. Contextual thinking provides a realistic assessment of progress. Here are important tips to follow to benefit from it:
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- Make sure the task you undertake drives you towards learning your new language
- Choose a task that will require you to find a solution through your creativity
- Work with natives of the languages to help understand it
- Make it an experience rather than a passive form of learning
- Put in place a standard way through which you will be assessed
- Take part in the assessment process to instantly learn about your performance
- Have continuous formative feedback either from yourself, from teachers or your peers to help you improve
- Ensure you have an authentic audience
The Bottom Line
Students can greatly improve on their poorly written essays if they take time to apply contextual thinking in their learning efforts. To ease their workload, teachers can also consider using this approach in order to help their students learn with ease and effectively.
About the author :
Brenda Allen is an English language Teacher at the New York University
P.S. Are you serious about your spoken English improvement? Check out the English Harmony System HERE!
P.S. Are you serious about your spoken English improvement? Check out the English Harmony System HERE!