Student Assignment and Feedback Form

Student Assignment and Feedback Form

Name of Trainer/Assessor:	Alexandra Power
Learner (s) name:	Urakova Hulkar
Candidate no:
Level/Qualification:	Certificate in TEFL level 5 QCF
Module/unit no:	1
Assignment(s):	Reflective learning journal and questions
Learning outcomes:	LO1 Understand the current role of English as a global language LO2 Understand modern methodologies and best classroom practice
Instructions: Type your answers below the appropriate questions. Reflective Learning Journal Task 1.1 These questions are for you to check that you have understood the section above and are to be recorded in your Reflective Learning Journal. These questions only require a short response. Q1. Is the teaching of English as a Foreign Language increasing or decreasing around the world? Yes, the teaching of English as a Foreign Language is increasing around the world. Q2. What was the most widely studied language five hundred years ago? Five hundred years ago, the most widely studied language was Latin. Q3. What is the most widely studied language today? The most widely studied language nowadays is English. Q4. Which family of languages does English derive from? Indo – European family of languages Q5. What do we call the family of languages that English, German, Dutch, Swedish and Danish belong to? Indo- European family of languages Q6. In how many countries is English an official or semi-official language? English is used as an official or semi-official language in over 60 countries. Q7. Is it true or false that a number of words have changed in meaning over the years? It is true. Ex: villain- farm labour, sly- wise. Reflective Learning Journal Task 1.2 Write about how you learned a foreign language in no less than 500 words. When I studied at the 5^th grade, I began learning English, because I wanted to study at the university. Anyway, somehow, I managed to do myself in about 1-1.5 years, starting from a Beginner to Intermediate level. Now I have been using English every day for the last 13 years. Initially, I started learning English with books and textbooks. I succeed in learning grammar. In order to enter the university, I needed to learn grammar, because all tests were based on grammar. However, it did not help me communicate in this language. When I entered the university, during the lessons I came across some difficulties in speaking, writing and listening. I was learning to communicate in English about a decade ago, when I was at the university. I didn't have any native speakers around, or even YouTube at that time. I did not have the Internet, though. There was a plenty of things to read, but not so much to listen to or watch. After entering the university, I focused on improving four skills: listening, reading, writing and especially, speaking skill. I knew all structures in grammar but I could not speak and describe my ideas at that time. Mainly, I attempted to boost my bank of vocabulary. When I looked up the words, I worked on the meaning of the words, their spelling and pronunciation. When I had a new word, I made up sentences for each one. It helped me to see them in context and to keep them in my mind easily. To develop my English, I tried to think in English and express my ideas in English, even if I was basically talking to myself. I found useful conversation expressions through watching movies, reading the transcripts and used them to make my own sentences. In every lesson I tried to make presentations to give my speech on different topics. It made my social and leader skills be improved. Discussions and debates assist to develop critical and analytical thinking. Our teachers tried to hold more debates to conduct an interesting lesson. We had a chance to show our skills practically. I always tried to listen to almost anything I could find in English and take notes, phrases and make my own sentences. Firstly, I watched movies or videos with subtitles in English and then I watched without subtitles. I learned how to speak English as a native speaker. Writing short essays helped me express my ideas better, although it was not exciting. After information technology and internet came to our life, I began to use You tube and podcasts, apps in order to improve my English. I could find learning material on any topic and I listened to BBC news or similar audios. While studying at the university and preparing for my IELTS exam I had to communicate in English and I had an opportunity to utilize it at the time I was learning the language. The more I speak, the better I improve my communicative skills.