The Language Ego
Did you know about the so-called language ego? This education blog entry is devoted to this very topic.
The language ego is identified with a second language. Such an ego creates a sense of a defensiveness, fragility and raising of inhibitions.
Students that study a second language feel fragile because of the native language ego. For this reason teachers must be patient and display a supportive attitude to students. As you learn a second language very often you’ll find yourself in a stupid situation. But the teacher must not forget that her students are very ambitious and capable, and that they do their best to manage it.
While teaching a second language the teacher should take the following into consideration:
- When students should be corrected
- How planned and structured should the activity be
- How much should be explained, and how should the student be treated
Teachers must always praise students. One of the ways is through verbal or non-verbal assurance. The student must believe in the teacher and in himself.
You should start teaching the language from an easy level to a difficult one.
One of the important things in teaching a second language is to teach your learners to not be afraid of producing in and interpreting the language. Create an atmosphere for the students so that they can try out the language freely.
Always provide students with challenges, a technique that makes the difficult learning process neither too easy nor too difficult.
In teaching a second language risk taking is very important. It’s though risk that the student will become less shy and more free and communicative in speech.
Photo © Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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