An ABC of what learning is and how to become a good learner.

1. UNIVERSIDAD DE LA SALLE
FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS DE LA
EDUCACIÓN
From studying to learning English:
Becoming good at languages
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YAMITH JOSÉ FANDIÑO PARRA

2. INTRODUCTION
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YAMITH JOSÉ FANDIÑO PARRA

3. INTRODUCTION
Learning is not a spectator sport. Students do not learn just by
sitting in class listening to their teachers memorize pre-
programmed content and provide answers. Instead, they must
talk about what they are learning, write it down, relate it to past
experiences, apply it to their daily lives. Students must make
what they learn a part of themselves. (Chickering & Gamson,
1987).
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YAMITH JOSÉ FANDIÑO PARRA

4. 1
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YAMITH JOSÉ FANDIÑO PARRA

5. TWO PERSPECTIVES
Well, I have to admit that I don't
prepare classes often. In fact, I try to
dedicate some time for homework and
that's it. But, even so, I understand the
topics that are covered ... I usually
come to class, listen to the professor
and take some notes ... I rarely ask
questions or make comments in class.
I don't think it's necessary. Also, I am
shy ... If I'm confused or lost, I talk to a
classmate or a family member .... I
usually review previous classes when
there is an activity or an exam. The
rest of the time I try to read copies or
do assignments ... I don't really
expand or reinforce class content
unless I have to.... I think I learn well
when the teachers explain well, and
the topics are interesting to me.
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YAMITH JOSÉ FANDIÑO PARRA
.

6. 1. TWO PERSPECTIVES
Well, I have to admit that I don't prepare
classes often. In fact, I try to dedicate some
time for homework and that's it. But, even
so, I understand the topics that are covered
...
I usually come to class, listen to the
professor and take some notes ... I rarely
ask questions or make comments in class. I
don't think it's necessary. Also, I am shy ... If
I'm confused or lost, I talk to a classmate or
a friend.... I usually review previous classes
when there is an activity or an exam. The
rest of the time I try to read copies or do
assignments ...
I don't really expand or reinforce class
content unless I have to.... I think I learn
well when the teachers explain well, and the
topics are interesting to me.
2/16/2024
YAMITH JOSÉ FANDIÑO PARRA
.
Sporadic and passive
habits
Occasional and limited
techniques
Traditional beliefs

7. TWO PERSPECTIVES
To be honest, I don't prepare classes
all the time, but I make an effort to do
so. I also check what I have
understood, clarify doubts and
participate in the classes... Listening
and taking notes are not enough for
me. If that's all I do, I get bored or
distracted in class.... I try to ask and
answer questions because I have
noticed that it helps me consolidate
what I know ... Reviewing from time to
time helps me connect things ... I think
readings and assignments should be
accompanied by some reinforcement
and expansion. Otherwise, you forget
things ... I know I can learn anything
when I put my mind to it and look for
the most appropriate resources.
2/16/2024
YAMITH JOSÉ FANDIÑO PARRA
.

8. TWO PERSPECTIVES
To be honest, I don't prepare classes all
the time, but I make an effort to do so. I
also check what I have understood,
clarify doubts and participate in the
classes...
Listening and taking notes are not
enough for me. If that's all I do, I get
bored or distracted in class.... I try to
ask and answer questions because I
have noticed that it helps me
consolidate what I know ... Reviewing
from time to time helps me connect
things ....
I think readings and assignments
should be accompanied by some
reinforcement and expansion.
Otherwise, you forget things ... I know I
can learn anything when I put my mind
to it and look for the most appropriate
resources. 2/16/2024
YAMITH JOSÉ FANDIÑO PARRA
.
Constant and active
habits
Frequent and varied
techniques
Progressive beliefs

9. STUDYING VS. LEARNING
(Entwistle, 1991)
• Studying
Spending time reading or going
to classes in order to obtain
methodical information.
• Activities
- Memorize and reproduce.
- Acquire facts and procedures.
• Learning
Gaining and acquiring skills and
attitudes by experience,
thought, research, or education.
• Activities
- Develop and transform one's
understanding.
- Change and grow as a person.
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YAMITH JOSÉ FANDIÑO PARRA

10. STUDYING AND LEARNING
• Studying
- Sporadic and passive habits.
- Occasional and limited
techniques.
- Traditional beliefs
- Information-oriented.
- Memorizing and reproducing.
- Result-based.
• Learning
- Constant and active habits.
- Frequent and varied
techniques.
- Progressive beliefs.
- Knowledge-oriented.
- Understanding and reflecting.
- Process-based.
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YAMITH JOSÉ FANDIÑO PARRA

11. 2
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YAMITH JOSÉ FANDIÑO PARRA

12. In order to LEARN successfully, one needs two basic things:
- understanding what a good learner is
and
- knowing how to become one.
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BEING AND BECOMING A GOOD
LEARNER

13. BEING A GOOD LEARNER
(https://shorturl.at/joET4)
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14. BEING A GOOD LANGUAGE LEARNER
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15. BECOMING A GOOD LEARNER
AWARENESS
Learners are
sensitized to their
own strengths and
weaknesses in the
foreign language,
as well as to a
range of
resources and
learning
techniques.
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YAMITH JOSÉ FANDIÑO PARRA
PRIORITIES
Learners establish
personal priorities
for areas of
particular
concentration
determined on the
basis of individual
strengths,
weaknesses, and
professional needs
in the foreign
language.
ACTION
Learners take action by
selecting and using the
most appropriate
means to work on their
established priorities.
A 3-step process to guide the student from a relatively passive,
teacher-dependent role to that of a more self-aware, confident, and
independent learner (Bertoldi, Kollar & Ricard, 1988).

16. BECOMING A GOOD LEARNER IN
LANGUAGES
AWARENESS
- Diagnostic language
tests.
- Learning style
inventories.
- Individual strengths
and weaknesses.
- Self-study or
reference materials.
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YAMITH JOSÉ FANDIÑO PARRA
PRIORITIES
- Establish professional
and language
learning needs.
- Decide which
strengths to cultivate
or weaknesses to
correct.
- Choose appropriate
self-access materials.
ACTION
- Draw up language action
plan.
- Prepare a learning
project.
- Incorporate new
strategies consciously.
- Work at own pace
according to
recommended
procedures.

17. 3
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YAMITH JOSÉ FANDIÑO PARRA

18. Basic language learning habits and techniques
(Englishclub, nd)
Listening Reading (Vocabulary) Writing (Spelling) Speaking
(Pronunciation)
- Listen to the radio or
to songs.
- Watch English TV
with and without
subtitles.
- Watch videos,
documentaries or
movies.
- Use Internet listening
resources.
- Work with podcasts.
- https://www.elllo.or
g/
- Read materials that
interest you and that
are at the
appropriate level
(Simplified readers,
magazines, internet
sites, etc.)
- Review who, what,
where, when, why for
each story you read.
- Keep a personal
dictionary.
- https://learningengli
sh.voanews.com/
- Keep a diary/journal.
- Write emails and
messages in English.
- Rewrite or
summarize local
news in English.
- Learn important
spelling and common
English errors.
- Get a penpal or an
E-pal.
- https://writeandimpr
ove.com/workbooks
#/wi-workbooks
- Record your own
voice.
- Participate in class or
go to an English club.
- Learn common
idioms.
- Understand the
sounds that English
has.
- Study word and
sentence stress.
- Practice tongue
twisters.
- https://speakandim
prove.com/
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YAMITH JOSÉ FANDIÑO PARRA

19. Basic language learning habits and techniques
(englishleap & fis)
 Be an explorer when you read and listen to English. Make an effort to notice verb tenses,
verb forms, word order, sentence structure, etc.
 Write down phrases that contain and apply certain grammar rules. Study and repeat these
phrases every day. Then make up your own.
 Learn grammar inductively. This means you need to work out rules for forming and using
English. Avoid translation or being given rules.
 Pay attention to sentence and paragraph structures: patterns, cohesion, coherence, etc.
 Do grammar exercises on the aspects you personally find most difficult. Avoid mechanical
drills and opt for interactive or communicative ones.
 Use techniques like creating a mind-map or a table to get an overview of grammar rules and
to structure your knowledge.
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YAMITH JOSÉ FANDIÑO PARRA

20. A BASIC METHOD FOR EFL CLASSES
PREPARE (Before)
Have a careful look at
the lesson
materials.
Analyze and reflect on
topics / contents.
Hypothesize and
elaborate own
interpretations.
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YAMITH JOSÉ FANDIÑO PARRA
PARTICIPATE (During)
Solve problems or clarify
doubts.
Give complete and elaborate
answers.
Start and maintain dialogs
and interactions.
Confirm, adjust or correct
hypotheses or
interpretations.
REVIEW (After)
Do assignments carefully.
Reinforce or expand
topics/contents.
Evaluate your
comprehension or
progress.

21. 4
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YAMITH JOSÉ FANDIÑO PARRA

22. A BASIC LEARNING PROGRAM
Learning
areas
Study habits
Language
learning
strategies
Metacognition
Autonomy
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YAMITH JOSÉ FANDIÑO PARRA

23. CONCLUSIONS
Study less, learn more.
Be a GOOD learner: Be positive, listen well, share, ask for help,
concentrate, do homework, take risks, and persevere.
Have a class method: Prepare, Participate, and Review.
Strengthen your language learning: Be aware, establish
priorities, and take concrete action.
Use language learning habits and techniques purposefully.
Follow a learning program.
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YAMITH JOSÉ FANDIÑO PARRA

24. 2/16/2024
YAMITH JOSÉ FANDIÑO PARRA
“A successful learner is not
someone who spends lots of
time studying and doing
assignments, but someone who
takes charge and plans his/her
own learning responsibly”.

25. REFERENCES
Bertoldi, E., Kollar, J., & Ricard, E. (1988). Learning how to learn English: from awareness to action. ELT journal, 42(3), 157-
166.
Candy P., Crebert, R., & O’Leary, J (1994). Developing Lifelong learners through undergraduate education. Canberra, Australia:
National Board of Employment, Education and Training.
Chickering, A., & Gamson, Z. (1987, March). Seven Principles for Good Practice. AAHE Bulletin, 39, 3-7. Retrieved from
http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/7princip.htm
Englishclub. (n.d.). How to learn English. Retrieved from https://www.englishclub.com/learn-english/learn-english-how.htm
Englishleap. (n.d.). How to learn grammar. Retrieved from http://www.englishleap.com/grammar
Entwistle, N. (1991). Learning and studying: Contrasts and influences. In Dee Dickinson (Ed), Perspectives on Educational
Change. New Horizons for Learning (pp. 127-137). Retrieved from
http://www.newhorizons.org/future/Creating_the_Future/crfut_entwistle.html
Frankfurt International school. (n.d.). How to learn grammar. Retrieved from http://esl.fis.edu/learners/advice/gram.htm
Lightbown, P., & Spada, N. (1997). How languages are learned (7th edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
McManus, Mike. (2009). Active learning. Retrieved from http://extra.shu.ac.uk/alac/activel.html
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