Mod 1 Discussion: Classroom Implications of Linguistic Theory

As someone who has had expeience attempting to communicate in a language other than English, I have been fortunate to come across people who have either tried to understand me and are impressed that I am attempting their language, or people who have made a concerted effort to speak English to me.

I feel that these two approaches to communicating work well outside the classroom, and can sometimes be done in the classroom. It is not going to always be the case that I will know the language of all the students, so as was mentioned in the reading, attempting to know what the students are communication first, gives them the sense that they are on track with the new language. After gaining an understanding of what was communicated, then the instructor can come up with various methods to help the students remember the correct way to say things in the new language. 

Having been in situations where I was not the native speaker, I personally will accept any kind of criticism to help me  communicate better, but with children in the classroom, they need to feel that their attempts are good, and that they will get some compassion from those they are trying to communnicate with.