Suggest Effective Study Techniques

Suggest Effective Study Techniques

by Ely Nilawati, S.Pd.

1. Students must study every day. They cannot get by in a foreign language course by cramming at the last minute like they do with history or geography. Perhaps it will be possible to memorize vocabulary in one or two days before the examination but there will be not enough time to learn how to use these words and phrases in sentences (can we cram for a swimming or skating test?).

2. Students should review previous topics and vocabulary. Language learning is cumulative. Learners pick up new skills on the basis of old ones. The more they ‘reprocess’ familiar information and skills, the better they will be able to integrate new ones. Teachers usually present and test new language skills in a segmented, unit-by-unit approach, as a matter of administrative convenience. However, language acquisition is not segmented at all; it is cumulative. Learners add new skills to the old ones without superseding them. Previously picked up skills are incorporated into new skills.

3. ESL learners should not be afraid of making mistakes. Shyness can be a strong obstacle to learning a language. Children acquire languages faster than adults because they are not afraid of making mistakes. If adults are prepared to make mistakes, from time to time, or even regularly, they will feel more comfortable in practicing and trying to speak.

4. Students should spend much time on improving listening and speaking skills. We should always remember that listening and speaking go together. Computer lab, walkman, tape recorder, English movies, as well as oral communication in various situations make learning efficient and even interesting.

5. ESL teachers should help the students to develop their reading habits (the culture of reading). Students should read interesting materials in English. Teachers should select abridged books (fiction) according to their levels and interests.

(taken from Phylosophy of English learning)