English Didactics - Jocelyn Romero

Feb, 9 th , 2024 Did you know that the spoken form of language is primary and should be taught first? It's essential to prioritize spoken language in the initial stages of learning because it forms the foundation for all other language skills. Applying the findings of phonetics to language teaching is crucial, and this starts with teachers who have a solid understanding of phonetics. To classify phonemes accurately, we need to analyze them systematically. First, we examine the manner of articulation, which refers to how the sound is produced. Next, we determine if the phoneme is voiced or voiceless, indicating whether the vocal cords vibrate during the production of the sound. Lastly, we identify the place of articulation, which pinpoints where in the vocal tract the sound is formed. The image below illustrates these concepts in more detail: By familiarizing with the basics of phoneme classification, we can enhance the understanding of language sounds and improve our teaching and l...

  Feb, 2 nd , 2024 What is the difference between method and approach in language teaching? It is very interesting that English is currently the main communication language used worldwide. But even in the medieval ages, Latin and Greek remained the common languages of communication between speakers of different languages. Perhaps at that time there were teachers teaching these languages and perhaps they had problems with their students. This brings us to the importance of knowing the difference between a method and an approach in language teaching. A method is a specific, systematic way of teaching, consisting of a set of procedures and techniques. It provides a detailed plan or step-by-step guide. For example, the grammar translation method focuses on lessons in the student's native language, in which students translate text and learn grammar rules. This method is good for understanding written text but not good for spoken language. As we can see everything has a purpose and is we...

  Jan, 26 th , 2024 When I first read about Kibun, I thought it was simply about emotions and their significance in Asian cultures. However, I soon realized that Kibun encloses different aspects. First, it refers to a person's sense of personal well-being and dignity, often described as “face” unlike mood, which is temporary, Kibun is a more enduring state. Kibun is crucial in understanding how individuals maintain their dignity and self-esteem over longer periods. One important takeaway from my reading is in the quote: “The type of cross-cultural analysis provides cultural translations of concepts, values, and behaviors for two cultures and predicts how cultural differences can negatively impact inter-ethnic communication and learning in the ESL classroom.” (H. Robinson James & Fisher Alex, n.d.) As a future educator, this is valuable. It highlights the importance of cultural awareness in teaching. By understanding concepts like Kibun can help prevent teachers to avoid any mis...

Date: Jan, 19 th , 2024 Did you know there is a term called Ch'emyon? I did not know until I came across a fascinating article during class. Initially, I thought Ch'emyon was about a professor´s name managing a normal class with students. However, I soon learned that Ch'emyon is much more. Ch'emyon refers to understanding the cultural backgrounds of students to the best of our ability. This understanding is crucial for promoting equal opportunity in education, not just for students learning English, but for those learning any language. Recognizing and respecting cultural diversity helps create an inclusive and supportive learning environment. As a future educator, I aspire to teach in a foreign country someday. If given the opportunity, I would strive to be partial and considerate of my students' cultural backgrounds. This approach would allow me to connect with them more effectively and help them showcase their unique skills and abilities. By embracing the principl...

Jocelyn Romero is a fifth-year student at Instituto Especializado de Nivel Superior Centro Cultural Salvadoreño Americano in the major English Applied Linguistics. She is an Alumni from ¡Supérate! Merlet, a program that provides high-quality education to young people with desire to be better people in society. In the teaching area, she made her social hours in the program “Inglés para un futuro mejor” and “Instituto Nacional de San Martín (INSAM)” where she provided virtual classes to students in the age of 15 to 17 years old. Please note that this blog is part of a class project and the data presented must not be taken for granted. The intention is only to indicate understanding of the contents presented and should not be considered as linguistics/TESL norm.