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Entry 1: Reflection

Hi guys!

After reviewing comments from others and making my own, I have developed a few more ideas concerning teaching second-languages in our current environment.

Firstly, I briefly mentioned that I have no other languages in my repertoire, however my family is rather large. I have friends that might as well be family and family members themselves who speak Spanish fluently. I know phrases and have a basic understanding - enough to know when I am being scolded - however that is where my understanding stops. I was never pushed or encouraged to learn languages outside of English, nor was there ever a great desire to.

This mindset is both ignorant and lazy. These are bad habits that I think we should curb before they get out of control in our students. Especially the lack of motivation. An increase in motivation has tremendous benefits, and not just for the concept of second-language acquisition, but overall academic performance as well.

Secondly, there must be a dramatic overhaul in how we approach second-language learners and teaching styles. There is a serious problem with our education system when students see second-language acquisition as a chore rather than an experience or interest. Students should not feel like learning new languages and cultures is a waste of time or an "easy grade".

I am not a genius; I have no magical solution to these points. However, I think that, by acknowledging them, we can strive to create a better learning environment for our students. One that, rather than punish students for using languages other than English, or forcing students to take languages they have no interest in, actually builds their understanding of the culture behind the language. I know that, had I taken a keen interest in the history and culture behind my second-language classes in high school, I may have actually retained the language beyond the simple phrases and key terminology.

Ortega, L. (2013). Understanding second language acquisition.Routledge. Second Edition.

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