Teaching English to Adult Learners

Summary

In this episode of Edd Talk, Mr. Sami Kyudalba discusses the challenges of teaching English to adult learners. With over 20 years of experience, he shares a story highlighting the pitfalls of traditional teaching methods and emphasizes the need for a more comprehensible approach. The discussion explores the various reasons students learn English, from education and business to social survival, and the importance of intercultural communicative competence. Mr. Kyudalba calls for a localized teaching approach that values diversity in English and facilitates communication, aiming to restore the Philippines' status as a top English-speaking nation.

Takeaways

• 👨‍🏫 The speaker, Mr. Sami Kyudalba, has over 20 years of experience teaching English to college students.
• 📚 A common teaching challenge is explaining the difference between the prepositions 'in' and 'on'.
• 🔍 The speaker's students misunderstood the use of 'in' and 'on', associating them with tenses instead of location.
• 🌐 English is taught as a subject and as a medium of instruction in many parts of the world.
• 🏫 In some regions, English instruction is limited due to large class sizes and an exam-oriented curriculum.
• 📈 The necessity of English varies; it's essential for education and business, but not always needed for social or economic advantages.
• 🌟 English proficiency can impact social equality and access to opportunities, as suggested by Lean (2001).
• 🌐 The classroom is a site of power asymmetry influenced by social identities, as highlighted by Sergeant (2009).
• 🎯 English is learned for various reasons, including education, business, travel, social survival, employment, and media.
• 🗣️ The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding why students are learning English and tailoring teaching to their needs.
• 🌟 Teachers should consider the diversity of English and the need to develop intercultural communicative competence in learners.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the 'Edd Talk' episode?

The main topic discussed is teaching English to adult learners.

How long has Mr. Sami Kyudalba been teaching English to college students?

Mr. Sami Kyudalba has been teaching English to college students for more than 20 years.

What was the outcome of the story Mr. Kyudalba shared about teaching prepositions?

In the story, Mr. Kyudalba's students misunderstood the use of 'in' and 'on', thinking they were related to tenses rather than location, which led to a moment of embarrassment for him.

What is the role of English in different parts of Asia and Latin America according to the script?

English is generally a required subject in state schools in many parts of Asia and Latin America, but the time devoted to it is very limited.

What challenges does Mr. Kyudalba face in teaching English?

Mr. Kyudalba faces challenges such as large class sizes, an exam-oriented or grammar-based approach to teaching, and the need to make English instruction more comprehensible to learners.

What are some of the reasons people learn English according to the script?

People learn English for various reasons including education, business, travel, social survival, employment, media, entertainment, the internet, and sometimes because it is a required subject.

What does the script suggest about the necessity of learning English?

The script suggests that while English is important for many, it is not always necessary for survival in one's own country and does not necessarily offer social or economic advantages.

What does Mr. Kyudalba suggest as a way to improve English teaching?

Mr. Kyudalba suggests modifying teaching styles to make English more comprehensible, appreciating the diversity of English, facilitating communication, and developing intercultural communicative competence.

What is the historical context of English proficiency in the Philippines mentioned in the script?

The script mentions that four decades ago, the Philippines was one of the best English speakers in Asia, and even ranked number one.

What is the main takeaway message for teachers from Mr. Kyudalba's discussion?

The main takeaway message is that teachers need to understand that English means different things to different people, language teaching is localized, and learners need to develop intercultural communicative competence.