The Minimal Pair is a dynamic duo dedicated to discussing issues in language learning and teaching. This podcast focuses heavily on the practices, challenges, and rewards of teaching adult language learners. Together ESL instructors Stephanie Axe and Jean Dempsey comprise The Minimal Pair, but from time to time other professionals from the field, as well as English language learners themselves, will round out the discussion.
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The Minimal Pair is a dynamic duo dedicated to discussing issues in language learning and teaching. This podcast focuses heavily on the practices, challenges, and rewards of teaching adult language learners. Together ESL instructors Stephanie Axe and Jean Dempsey comprise The Minimal Pair, but from time to time other professionals from the field, as well as English language learners themselves, will round out the discussion.
The Minimal Pair: Episode 012 Show Notes: The Minimal Pair Title: “Where can I get a Brazilian wax?” Episode no: 012 Date: Recorded on 6/25/14 Topics in Language Learning English for Specific Purposes Sources: http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/elp-esp http://iteslj.org/Articles/Gatehouse-ESP.html http://www.usingenglish.com/articles/teaching-english-for-specific-purposes-esp.html What is it? How is it different from ESL? (from UsingEnglish.com) Types of learners Types of instruction Learner motivation What are “specific purposes”? Business Law Architecture Engineering Medicine Tourism Restaurant industry Instructor responsibilities (from UsingEnglish.com) and challenges Setting goals Learning environment Evaluating students Who is qualified to teach it? Is a TESL certification enough? Do instructors with content specific backgrounds (like an MBA or J.D.) have an advantage? [19:10] Methodology Authentic situations Online presence Email Social media Students who are new to the country and dealing with lots of “real-world” issues Finding housing Setting up utilities Figuring out public transportation; getting cars and driver’s licenses Getting acquainted with a new city: what to do, where to go for fun, etc. Overlooked things: where to get a haircut, how American pharmacies work, etc. Remaining approachable; validating their challenges Having authentic situations in ESP classes Product pitch Writing emails Good news vs. bad news Requests & reminders Job interviews “Water-cooler” conversation skills Book recommendation: Americans at Work: A Guide to the Can-Do People (by Craig Storti) [36:15] Culturally speaking… High-context vs. low-context cultures Sources: http://www.marin.edu/buscom/index_files/Page605.htm Worldwide ERC What’s the difference? High-context – indirect (Asia, Middle East, Africa, South America) Less likely to share thoughts and feelings Stress expressed non-verbally or accidentally Conversation is monotone (lack of inflection and enthusiasm) Communication is indirect (evasive, talking around the point, tactful, ambiguous) Conflict (harmony valued) Low-context – direct (North America, most of Western Europe) More open with thoughts and feelings Don’t hide stress/tension Conversation is enthusiastic Communication is direct (precise, blunt, to the point) Conflict is a means of expressing (and having pride for) personal opinion Tips for teachers Make students aware of the difference (validate both) Be specific with directions for assignments (putting it on paper helps indirect communicators) Modeling being direct (i.e. through teacher feedback) Prefacing authentic situations with a discussion about being direct vs. indirect Encouraging classroom participation (challenging for indirect communicators) Students who want to tell the teacher how to teach
The Minimal Pair
The Minimal Pair is a dynamic duo dedicated to discussing issues in language learning and teaching. This podcast focuses heavily on the practices, challenges, and rewards of teaching adult language learners. Together ESL instructors Stephanie Axe and Jean Dempsey comprise The Minimal Pair, but from time to time other professionals from the field, as well as English language learners themselves, will round out the discussion.
