By Gulliver Dabalus Alumbro Jr.
In a decade of teaching English, several ways, methods, techniques and valuable information were shared and disclosed by my students in mastering English.
A solitary method, way or technique would not hold water. However, if they are all blended together, these ways, methods, techniques and pieces of information are the essential keys in unlocking the mystery of the global language ― English.
Presently, Korea is concerned about whether or not learning English is a must for its citizens. If so, are students ready for such change and are teachers equipped and willing to teach?
The issue at hand focuses on the teachers and students only ― the concerned parties in this case. If a medium, way, or resolution could be attained, then it can be reasonably concluded that the country will progress as well.
The basic questions that cannot be denied are as follows: Will, Korea as a nation, improve its economic power in the future if it plants the seeds of learning English now?
Is Korea lagging behind other nations which are also participating in a global race to learn English to improve their respective economical power as well? Is Korea ready for the soon-to-be adopted English learning system?
A general rule is that a language remains unchanged over the years. Every citizen in any country uses the same expressions in their daily life 24/7. From time to time, a new word may emerge and become embedded in its vocabulary.
The English language is the exception to the general rule, as it constantly modifies, alters and changes its nature and content. English has borrowed, adopted, blended and merged words from other languages consistently for centuries.
The origin of the language started with the Germanic tribe, the Anglo Saxons, who were granted land by the King of Briton in exchange for military aid. They called their territory _ the Land of the Angles, otherwise referred then as Angle Land, which eventually became more popularly known as England.
Back then, their language displaced other languages through its simplicity, grammar-wise. In effect, the global language aptly named English evolved patiently.
By the passage of many historical events, the English language found itself eventually taking over the world ― as evidenced in this era of globalization.
Now, English is a juggernaut breaking its way through race, creed and color ― converging world communication.
Such growth gives roughly 2,000 new words in English per year. In simple math, just to catch up to the newly coined words annually, a student needs to input at least six to eight words per day and that excludes basic expressions and the vocabulary essential for taking TOEIC or TOEFL.
An increase in a learner's vocabulary leads to effective communication, interaction and transactional skills, especially in socio-economic factors.
The learner of English needs to follow a certain accent that most Korean parents believe their child should learn ― a standard of pronunciation. America alone has several or even multiple accents differentiated from the East to the West coasts.
Also Italian English pronunciation is different from Indian English pronunciation as well as Jamaican English pronunciation and so on.
Think for a moment that the aforementioned countries' leaders are together in a room to deliberate on how to make the world a better place, wouldn't it take a lot of language skill to comprehend fully what the delegates were saying.
Different accents, intonation and pronunciation never stop such dignitaries in solving whatever crisis needs to be solved.
What is more essential is what their heart wants to say. Criticizing pronunciation, due to different ethnic backgrounds or influences, leads nowhere. International meetings among leaders of nations use English as a tool to communicate and solve the world's problems not only by words expressed by the mind but more importantly the intention of what their hearts want to express.
In lieu of language learning, there is more to student/teacher learning than meets the eye. Not only does the teacher teach the student, but sometimes the student teaches the teacher.
If teachers listen hard to what the students are saying, trying to say and sometimes, things they cannot say, the former can learn more from the student about whatever subject, lesson, or topic they discuss and expound on.
In so doing, the teacher in his or her own way can assess the best way of maximizing the student's potential.
In concept and application, with regards to teaching English in Korea there is no best way in teaching because there will always be better ways.
The better ways are the brilliant ideas and suggestions, based on thorough research, which were enumerated, recommended, and will be enforced by the incoming government under President-elect Lee Myung-bak. Such vision should be taken into consideration and supported by citizens for the nation's advancement.
Now, is the proper time to start planting the seeds to harvest the fruits of labor in the not-so-distant future. Time waits for no one. It just might be possible that Korea can attain its goal of being the best in English in all of Asia if the government plan crystallizes.
Everything starts from a language learner who should set the pace, rhythm and tune, accordingly, along with the revolution of the world in terms of learning English as a global language.
Students should remain focused in immersing and practicing English in all aspects of the language ― listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Mastery of a language requires equilibrium. By combining said aspects, a student maximizes language potential. Only then, can the individual effectively contribute to society whether nationally or internationally, just like U.N. ambassadors, state leaders and CEOs.
The writer resides in Daegu City. He can be reached at