Teach English in Gubo Zhen - Nanjing Shi

Summative Task No. 10 What are the Common Problems for ESL Learners in China Generally in China, ESL students of different age groups and family backgrounds have various difficulties and problems in learning. They can make different mistakes in English pronunciation, grammar, orthography and vocabulary usage. There is a connection between the native language of a learner and the particular difficulties in learning and using English, and the kind of mistakes a learner typically makes in English pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary as there is native language interference in learning and using English. Listening comprehension and speaking in English are the skills generally more frequently used than reading and writing in daily living. Listening comprehension and speaking in English are more difficult and more important for learners to master than reading and writing. When reading and writing a text a learner has more time for thinking and pauses than when listening and speaking in English in daily living. An ESL learner can also look up unknown vocabulary in English dictionaries and use other English reference books when reading and writing a text in English, which is impossible when listening and speaking in English. Therefore, listening comprehension and speaking in English are more difficult than reading and writing. English vocabulary for daily living requires more time and is more difficult to master by ESL learners than English grammar. Vocabulary is one of the most comprehensive and difficult aspects of English for ESL learners to master thoroughly. They should first concentrate on learning the most frequently used and therefore most important English vocabulary for their practical real life needs. Multiple sense English words and synonyms present special difficulty for ESL learners. Other difficulties in learning and using English vocabulary include fixed word collocations, phrasal verbs, idioms, proverbs and regional differences in vocabulary usage. There are differences in English usage in English-speaking countries in terms of spelling, pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar. These gets ESL students confused as well. English usage can also be formal and informal. Formal English is the language of the mass media, education, business, economy, commerce, technology, science, etc. Informal English includes colloquial, slang and dialect usage. It is harder for ESL learners to master informal than formal English vocabulary. English synonym dictionaries combined with general English dictionaries are an excellent tool for intensively, comprehensively and logically mastering vocabulary for the needs of the learner in real life situations. Extensive reading on a variety of topics is another effective method for expanding English vocabulary knowledge by learners of English. Here is a personal observation from my four months of teaching experience as a kindergarten ESL teacher. Kindergarteners are surely the best group of students as they are always happy if the teacher activates them to. Some of the kids come from a home where parents make some efforts to teach them English at home or parents speak English to them from time to time. These students are always leaders in the classroom during English lessons. Some students come from homes opposite to the first group. Their parents do not teach them English because they cannot speak, read and write in English. So that’s obviously a mixed class. The problem we have here is when you have a mixed class and an inexperienced and or least qualified teacher like myself. That’s when teaching and learning becomes a bit difficult. However thanks to this course, I learned a lot to teach and manage my my classes in the future.