Teacher Leadership Project

Issues in second language learning.

Evaluate the issue

Background

Second language learning is whereby people seek to learn a different language. It does not necessarily mean learning a second language but learning any new language. Today we live in a cosmopolitan world and there are interactions by people from many tribes. Some people have taken upon themselves to study other languages for a number of reasons. Some reasons are professional, for example you might study Chinese if you are going to work or do business with the Chinese people. Others study second languages just to satisfy their linguistic ambitions. Whichever the reason, people are interested in studying foreign languages and this is not always easy.

Need

In order to address this issue, we have to change how people are taught second languages such as English. The teachers need to be understanding and patient with the learners and on the other hand, learners have to be willing to learn. The two must come together to form a harmonious working environment in order to facilitate learning.

Constraints

There are a number of problems that arise when it comes to second language learning.

· Old teaching methods. People learn languages in lecture-style lessons instead of practicing their vocabulary socially with their peers in environments of low stress.

· The many changes in technology such as spell check have limited need to learn spellings.

· Getting bored and distracted. People who are learning a new language often suffer this problem and need to be motivated.

Resources Available

There are resources that can be summoned to tackle this problem and make sure that it is easier for people to learn a second language like English. We can have group members going to various centers where people learn other languages. Doing this will help us collect data on the teaching methods and morale of the learners.

Resources Needed

There should be concentrated efforts from all quarters aimed at solving this issue. Learning institutions could help solve some of these problems by abandoning the outdated lecture-style classrooms. Instead, they should focus on group learning in order to reduce pressure and allow learners to thrive. Teachers need to make classes more interactive while ensuring learners don’t feel under pressure. This will make them more willing to learn. These and other processes could help more people to learn second languages.

Develop a Mission Statement

We have realized that many people want to learn a second language but they face many constraints and hence we aim to put our efforts together to come up with ways to make it easier for these people.

Create Goals

Our efforts should help us achieve the following by the end of the year:

Identify why some students learn quickly than others over the same time period so as to understand the difference.

Visit some learning centers and convince them to adopt a group work approach to teaching in future to help learners cope better.

Construct action steps