Teaching English to Students of Mixed Nationalities, Essay Example

The most complex element of teaching English to students of mixed nationalities in the same class is minimizing the differences between the instructor’s style of teaching and the respective cultural learning strategies of the students in question.

Numerous studies have been undertaken in order to better understand the learning strategies of various nationalities studying English. In one of the studies Vietnamese refugees in the U.S., both males and females, utilized a strategy of listening to TV or radio[1]. In another study, it was discovered that reading comprehensively, mixing with fluent speakers, listening to English (radio, TV, debates and symposia), and regularly referring to the dictionary were universal strategies among Nigerian university English majors.[2] In a study of Nepalese students, it was discovered that making notes and summaries, recopying notes and memorizing texts as ultimate strategies of learning English language.[3] With this understanding of the respective cultural learning strategies of students, a comprehensive strategy could be designed for the entire class where the teaching and learning experiences would be enhanced.

As for the advantages of teaching English to students of mixed nationalities in the same class, there are two advantages that have to be discussed. The first advantage is the opportunity for students and the teacher to share ideas, beliefs, desires and expectations from their cultural perspectives, which can help the members of the class develop an intercultural competency of each other’s backgrounds.[4] The second advantage is the opportunity for the teacher and the students to build a network and develop friendships, which may be beneficial in the future from business and social perspectives.

Bibliography

Adegbija, E. “Learner’s strategies for improving English: A Case of Nigerian Undergraduates. Glottodidactica: An International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 20, 103-111.” In Language Learning Strategies around the World: Cross-Cultural Perspectives, Rebecca L. Oxford, 103-11. Hawaii: University of Hawaii, 1996.

Hinkel, Eli. Culture in Second Language Teaching and Learning. Cambridge: Cambridge University press, 1999

Red, D.L. “Reading Academic Texts in a Foreign Language: A case study in Nepal. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University Texas, Austin, TX.” In Language Learning Strategies around the World: Cross-Cultural Perspectives, Rebecca L. Oxford. Hawaii: University of Hawaii, 1996.

Tran, T.V. “Sex differences in English Language acculturation and learning Strategies among Vietnamese Adults age 40 and over in the United States. Sex Roles, 19, 747-758.” In Language Learning Strategies around the World: Cross-Cultural Perspectives, Rebecca L. Oxford, 747-58. Hawaii: University of Hawaii, 1996.

[1] T.V. Tran, “Sex differences in English Language acculturation and learning Strategies among Vietnamese Adults age 40 and over in the United States. Sex Roles, 19, 747-758, “ in Language Learning Strategies around the World: Cross-Cultural Perspectives, Rebecca L. Oxford (Hawaii: University of Hawaii, 1996), 53.

[2] E. Adegbija, “Learner’s strategies for improving English: A Case of Nigerian Undergraduates. Glottodidactica: An International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 20, 103-111,” in Language Learning Strategies around the World: Cross-Cultural Perspectives, Rebecca L. Oxford (Hawaii: University of Hawaii, 1996), 53.

[3] D.L. Red, “Reading Academic Texts in a Foreign Language: A case study in Nepal. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University Texas, Austin, TX”, in Language Learning Strategies around the World: Cross-Cultural Perspectives, Rebecca L. Oxford (Hawaii: University of Hawaii, 1996), 53.

[4] Intercultural competency- “The ability of a person to behave adequately in flexible manner when confronted with actions, attitudes and expectations of representatives of foreign cultures.” Eli Hinkel, Culture in Second Language Teaching and Learning (Cambridge: Cambridge University press, 1999), 198