Friday, October 26, 2012

Factors that affect second language learners

BLOG POST #1

"Many factors affect second language learners. From your experience as teachers, what factors do you consider are the ones that mostly affect students in a positive and negative way? Identify two positive factors and two negative factors that influence students’ second language learning. Explain why you selected each factor." Alice Acevedo, Ed.D

19 comments:

  1. I consider that there are many factors that do affect second language learners in a positive and in a negative way.
    Thinking on the positive factors that affect second language learners, I can mention the love and appreciation that some students demonstrate towards a second language. They are eager to learn and are motivated by every opportunity that they have to practice the language with others.
    It is also important to point out that these students demonstrate their knowledge and the importance of a second language acquisition when they travel and are able to communicate comfortably in a second language.

    For example in a negative way, here in Puerto Rico, most of the students only have 60 minutes of English Class for five days a week, I think that it's very difficult for them to be on track and to follow the expectations if they do not have enough time to practice a second language. Most of the parents also affect the second language learners, because they don't appreciate the value of another language, in this case English, because they believe that they became "successful" in life without it. It is very sad to hear them say: "I wasn't good in English either" like if it excuses in any manner their child's lack of effort on the class.

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    1. I noticed that my name does not appear on the post I wrote, just in case, my name is Cynthia Perez

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    2. I share your opinion related to parents' attitude and influence in their child's learning process. Great point of view! Dr. A

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  2. The two factors that I consider that affect in a positive and a negative way the learning of a second language are the students attitude and motivation towards learning. A student that wants to learn will learn.In many occasions with a little help they will get far. Two other factor that I believe can affect in a positive and negative way is the capability of the student and the learning opportunities that we as teachers give our them.

    Yasaika Figueroa

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    1. Students' attitude and motivation definitely affect SLL. Great post! Dr. A

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  3. Two factors I consider affect in positive way is students haveing the interest in learning, another factor is finding purpose to learn english. Which I think they go hand in hand, the student will only be interes in learning the language if they find purpose.

    One factor that can affect in a negative way is students do not have the means to practice the language. Another factor that I consider students are being bombed with to much grammar, in my experience students say: "How am I going to learn the parts of a setence in english if I do not understand the language".

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    1. The teaching of grammar in our schools has definitely become a problem. There is no reading or creative writing to put into practice what students learn. Great opinion! Dr. A

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  4. Some factors that affect second language acquisition are the learner’s characteristics that are specific to the individual, including learning styles, strategies, attitude, motivation and personality. Frequently, self-confident children with extrovert personalities will attempt verbal interactions in another language more quickly than their timid counterparts, speeding up social adjustment in the new environment. Learner characteristics also influence the way a child responds to an instructional style and setting. Children with complex linguistic histories, who have not established adequate competence in a primary language, may continue to have difficulty with developing fully a second language, despite sustained exposure to the target language. Difficulties in vocabulary development and syntax, impoverished or immature writing, and difficulty keeping up and participating in class may all be symptoms of an earlier lack of competence in a first language. Such children often resemble language learning disabled children and it can be difficult to assess whether it is poor exposure to language or a neuropsychological difficulty that is preventing adequate language development.

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    1. I share your opinion! If a child cannot master his first language properly, then he might encounter serious dificulties in the acquisition of the second language. Dr. A

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  5. Language aptitude, it reflects in the student ability to learn, specifically in the student’s competence. Perhaps, we have not realized yet that for a vast majority of our students the English language is a foreign language due to the lack of exposure. We have students that do not have cable or Internet. Sixty minutes per day at times are not enough. So this will definitely test teaching creativity and language strategies. Certainly, teachers will need to implant more effective methods in order to influence student’s performance. One another hand, language anxiety will also be another variable in the language learning process. We have seen many times how student react when we assign oral presentations. Many of our students are reluctant to carry out this type of task. We have negotiated comfortable zone in order to motivate their spoken communication skills.
    Jorge Ramirez

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    1. Absolutely true! But it is also our responsibiity to move our students from the comfort zone. Fantastic point of view! Dr. A

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  6. Jeez, where do I start? When I was analyzing the SLL model prepared by Spolsky (Mitchell and Myles book), my mind just kept going back to all those students I've had in my English classes throughout the years. I can apply that model to ALL those students, from the academically challenged to the brightest crayons in the box. Each factor there can be seen from either side, positively or negatively, from the social context at the top to the learning opportunities at the bottom.
    I would have to choose the social context as the biggest affecting factor when it comes to SLL. Children learn by example and if what they see and hear while growing up is positive towards learning a new language, then the rest of the model will follow suit. But if all the child hears and sees while growing up is resistance, then that is what the child will transmit. I see it as a chain reaction from the top of the model to the bottom.
    I don't think I could choose two positive factors and two negative factors because I see each one as being both positive and negative, depending on each individual's situation.

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    1. Social context is definitely a big factor in SLL. I totally share your opinion! Great post! Dr. A

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  7. As a public English teacher, two positive factors that I have observed with two of my five groups are their good attitude and aptitude towards learning the target language. These two factors combined has helped the majority of my students in learning a second language. I see it everyday in their daily performance.

    Two negative factors are the negativity towards learning English or being able to appreciate the language due to their social background. The parents as well as the students do not see the pertinance of learning another language. The other factor is related with the genes! Why I say this? Because I have notice that my students have language gaps with their native language (Spanish) therefore cannot transfer those rules to associate with the new language rules. It is a big “arroz con pollo”! Honestly, with this group I have to lower the level so they can grasp the basic of the concepts.

    Yomara Perez Feliciano
    Educ 350

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    1. I definitely consider that genes are a big factor in SLL! But do not give up with your kids. Keep up the great work! Dr. A

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  8. During my 8 years teaching in the public system two negative factors that I identified affect our students language learning process first is that our social context dont help neither provide enough situations perhaps cirscuntances for students to practice their communication skills. This has provoque that students dont find it pertinent to learn a second language, which could also be recognized as a cultural aspect. Now, positive aspects that can help students acquire the target language are students wanting to continue studies in higher levels and being confronted with the reality of needing to use and understand that language. Also, when motivational activities are use in the classroom and teacher support is also present students find language learning interesting and feel motivated to learn,

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  9. BLOG POST #1
    FACTORS THAT AFFECT SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNERS

    Yes, there are many factors that affect our native language learners here in Puerto Rico. As an English Facilitator I will consider the negative factors first. The first factor I consider would be pertinence. The English language is not pertinent to the learner, as a 9th grade English facilitator the situation is well perceived. It does not apply to all, but it does cover the vast majority. The learners have no interest in the second language being acquired. Why? Let’s consider this; where would the learner need to use the language, our surrounding here in Puerto Rico does not call for its use, neighborhoods, work sites, government agencies, health centers, fast foods, department stores, there is no reciprocal action. Statement made by learners “Mis estamos en Puerto Rico, aquí se habla español. Yo no necesito el Inglés”. That’s a shame; they do not see the importance of learning a second language.
    Another factor would be home quality time; we live in a sick society whereas people only care for themselves. Parents are too busy trying to make anns- meat where does home quality time fall into place. Learners do not have study habit routines, responsibilities, self-respect, decency, moral values, this has been lost. I do not mean to sound so negative please don’t get me wrong; there are still a handful of parents that do care, but it’s just that a handful. In today’s society whatever learners learn it is learned off the street in personal experiences which at times may not be the perfected example.
    Now, let’s talk about positive factors, one positive factor can be personal experiences. How can this be positive? If used correctly facilitators can have an active class. But facilitators must be very careful as to what topic will be presented. Topics of interested: bullying, teenage pregnancies, the use of drugs, child abuse, domestic violence, stealing, gangs, rivalries, and much more. Why are these topics of major interest? This is because these are the things our students see and live through on a day to day base unfortunately. This leads to the second positive factor which is motivation. Since these are topics of interest they are easily motivated, and they tend to all want to speak at the same time. Motivating your students is not easy, in view of the fact that each is a world of its own. Therefore, it is important to know students back grounds. Skills can be incorporated regardless of the topic. Names can be change to protect the identity of the person. But facilitators be very careful!

    Anna Rodriguez
    a.rodz21@yahoo.com

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  10. Some of the negative factors for the English as a Second Language (ESL) acquisition are: the lack of having a classroom where the teacher can integrate technology without being moving around and the imposition of balanced literacy by the DE, which restricts teachers in terms of lesson planning and creativity. Some positive factors that can encourage ESL acquisition are: the DE makes alliances with private companies to offer mentoring and coaching to teachers in language skills acquisition and language skills programs sponsored by the DE and private institutions provide with the technological gadgets which otherwise could not be purchased by the schools. In terms of the negative factors the lack consistency of the ESL teachers in the same school environment and/or classrooms until they get a permanent position; it makes the affective filters get higher every school year because the students never know what to expect. Moreover, the imposition of balance literacy with books and materials that are not pertinent at all for the Puerto Rican students makes teaching a L2 a task almost impossible to achieve. On the other hand, it is important to acknowledge that the DE promotes, provides and facilitates to those compromised teachers with the proper workshops, courses, and technological gadgets to develop and acquire the proper teaching techniques and strategies scientifically based for the L2 acquisition.

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  11. Many factors do affect a second language learner. Within these there are positive and negative aspects that highly influence an ESL student.
    A positive aspect such as External Origins can be a great impact in their learning throughout the attributes of the environment, School, and City.

    a. School and school districts encourage students and teachers to participate in academic competitions.
    -This input provides motivation for students and teachers in order to get as prepared as possible to compete with on another.

    b. The school will have highly qualified teachers and facilitators.
    -Teachers that are highly qualified provide the necessary knowledge for the specific needs that ESL students demand.

    Now, some negative aspects that influence ESL students are the Internal Origin such as the attributes of the teacher and Classroom.

    a.The lack of time to teach complicated skills.
    -Teachers need to provide the proper time on skills that are at a higher level of difficulty in order to guarantee that all the students captured the information and make it part of their knowledge just like scaffolding.

    b.The lack of motivation among co-workers regarding the use and acquisition of English as a second language.
    -Teachers need to also be in a low anxiety level environment in order to feel comfortable and teach with love, patience, and dedication.

    If these factors are highly put in consideration when teaching a second language, we can have effective ESL students.

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