Learning EFL: Research, Experiences and tips to learn a second language, tips

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Welcome!

By the end of the lesson you will have…
v learnt about note-taking techniques
v learnt about language learning;
v be given tips to learn;
v heard about personal experiences.

Note-taking methods
What note-taking methods do you know?

Note-taking methods
What note-taking methods do you know?
The most common are:
Ø Outlining method
Ø Box and bullet method
Ø Mapping method

Why make notes?

Why make notes?
Ø Note-making helps you organise ideas and information from the text/lesson.
Ø Note-making helps you keep a record of what you read/hear.
Ø Note-making helps you think critically.
Ø Note-making helps you un_er_t_nd what you are learning and draw out key points.

Why make notes?
Ø Note-making helps you organise ideas and information from the text/lesson.
Ø Note-making helps you keep a record of what you read/hear.
Ø Note-making helps you think critically.
Ø Note-making helps you understand what you are learning and draw out key points.

Introduction to the Outlining method
Have you ever used the outlining method?

How to use the method:
Ø List the main points closest to the left side of
your page as headers.
Ø Use indentations to order the related points
underneath — the more important points
are closer to the left.

Ø List the main points closest to the left side of
your page as headers.
Ø Use indentations to order the related points
underneath — the more important points
are closer to the left.
What are the advantages and disadvantages
of using this method?

Introduction to the Box and bullet method
Have you ever used the box and bullet
method?

method?
Ø Draw a box for every main idea.
Ø Under each box, write supporting points
next to bullet points.

Introduction to the Mapping method
method?

method?
Ø Use lines or arrows to connect ideas to a
central point.
Ø You can also use bullet points, numbers and
colour-coding to develop a mapping
system that works best for you.

In a few minutes you will listen on a lecture on “Learning English in
Adult Age”
Choose one of the three note-taking methods and take notes as
you listen to the lecture. At the end of the presentation, you will
use your notes to answer questions related to the lecture.

Learning
English in adult age:
Facts, tips and personal experiences by
Anthony James Fornaro

Some vocab first:
Acronym /ˈækrənɪm/ à an abbreviation consisting of the first letters of each word in
the name of something, pronounced as a word (example: NASA, EF, etc.).
Foreign /ˈfɒrən/ à belonging or connected to a country that is not your own.
Linguist /ˈlɪŋɡwɪst/ à someone who studies languages and science of language.
To master /ˈmɑːstər/ à to learn to control something
Native speaker /ˈneɪtɪv/ /ˈspiːkə/ à someone who
has spoken a particular language since they were a baby, rather than having learned it
as a child or adult
Neuroplasticity /'njʊərəʊplæsˈtɪs.ə.ti/ à the mental flexibility of a person.
To juggle /ˈdʒʌɡ.əl/ à to throw several objects up into the air, and
then catch and throw them up repeatedly (like a circus artist)

“The limits of my
language are the
limits of my world.”
- Ludwig Wittgenstein
(Austrian-British philosopher)

Which of the following options correctly
identifies the abbreviation "ESL"?
A. English as a Second Language
B. Essential Student Learning
C. Early Science Learning
D. Educational Support Liaison

The acronyms ESL
and EFL stand for the
learning of English as
a Second Language
and English as a
Foreign Language.
A foreign or
second language
is a language that
is learned in an
area where that
language is not
generally spoken.
The opposite of
mother tongue.

When?

Language acquisition and development is most
effective in the early years. Young children can learn
more than one language more easily than adults.

The ‘right age’ for introducing
ESL/EFL to learners is still a mystery
but it is well known that starting to
learn at a ’young age’ is better.

A linguist called Lenneberg said that
there is a critical age (between 18
months and early puberty). He said that
after that period, children will find it
extremely difficult to learn a language
and even if they succeed, they’ll never
master the language in full.

Are adults doomed?

Of course not!!!
Learning languages is always possible and it
happens more effectively in familiar, natural
contexts (example: language travel like EF!).
First language helps the learning of a second
language, in this case, English.

Adult learners are at an advantage
in learning grammar.
However, young learners win over
pronunciation.

Learning a language
is like driving a car.
It’s hard to learn, but the more you
drive the better you’ll be at it!

But… Why is learning harder
when you’re older?

Which of the following factors makes it harder for
adults to learn a new language?
A. Decreased neuroplasticity
B. Enhanced cognitive flexibility
C. Increased curiosity
D. Expanded time availability

Because neuroplasticity generally
decreases as a person gets older.
It means that the brain becomes
less able to change in response to
what happens around you.
Imagine some playdough: the
more you use it, the longer stays
open the staler and harder it gets.

Hey!
There still are A
LOT of benefits to
learning a new
language when
you’re an adult!

Learning a new language may not always be easy for
adults, but there is research that suggest that
learning a new language is beneficial for brain health!

As we get older, most of us experience a decline in mental
functions such as attention and memory, and in some people
this process leads to the development of Alzheimer's disease or
some other form of dementia.

But….
A number of recent studies suggest that learning a
foreign language can slow this inevitable age-related
cognitive decline or perhaps even delay the onset of
dementia.
Also bilinguals have proven to show symptoms of
dementia 10 years later than non-bilinguals!

"Learning a language later on in life might be more
beneficial than learning it earlier, because it takes more
effort, it has parallels with physical exercise – a stroll is good
for your health, but not as beneficial as a run.”
– Thomas Bak
Learning (and using) a foreign language seems to improve
what psychologists and neuroscientists call executive
function: a series of mental processes that enable us to
vary our thoughts and behaviours from one moment to the
next, depending on the task we’re dealing with.

"Using two languages seems to have consequences
not only for executive functions, but also for other
processes. It's like learning to juggle, the idea is that
you have to juggle two balls every time you speak.
Some of the work is controversial and not clear, so
we need more data to have a definite answer.”
– James Costa

Yes but…
How can
we learn?!

Theory
Books and
papers!
Academic
way!

Practice
Practice
Practice
Practice
Free and
Fun(ny) ways

Listen Pronounce Speak
Practical
Read Write Translate on
paper
Theoretical
Vocabulary
Grammar
Vocabulary
Grammar

As students often say…
Yes Sir, but…… HOW?!

output
Input
Information
in your mind
Native speakers,
Books,
Movies,
Podcasts,
Real life,
Etc.
Practice,
Debates,
Presentations,
Diaries,
Free time,
Etc.

The language skills cycle:
Listening
Speaking
Reading
Writing
Listening improves pronunciation and
vocabulary (and grammar).
All these things help you speaking.
The more you speak the more you will
remember the vocabulary and the
grammar you learnt from listening.
This helps you understand more when
you read, which helps you to write better.
IT IS ALL LINKED!

You can do many things to apply all of them:
- Speak a lot;
- Look at the ‘practical’ side more than the
‘theory’;
- Imitate what you listen from native speakers;
- Repeat what you hear and learn;
- Don’t be afraid to ask or search for meaning!

Once upon a time…

On 29th July 2013, at 11:20 pm, a young Italian man
landed at London Stansted airport on a Ryanair flight…

The young man had no idea
of how to speak English and
could barely understand
people around him!
He really was in big troubles!

He needed a job! But how, if he didn’t
speak the language?!
So, he learnt one single sentence: “Hello,
can I speak with the manager? I’m looking
for a job” and walked into every shop and
restaurant he could find with his CVs and
repeated the sentence over and over
again.

He eventually found a job as a waiter,
at an Italian restaurant!
There were so many other Italians
working there so he didn’t need
to speak much English.
That’s a good thing right?!
Well not so much as his English
didn’t improve! He still struggled
understanding everyone!

Remember?
Input from
native
speakers is
fundamental!
You need to
speak a
language to
learn it, but
you also need
to listen to it.
So, he changed job, and
changed job, and again
and again and again, until
he found a place where he
didn’t have to work with
Italians and could speak
English all the time!

After some time, by speaking with and
listening to native speakers, constantly
asking questions about words and
structures he didn’t know - and by
NEVER speaking in Italian - he
eventually learnt the language with no
help from others and without going to
any language school!

Who was that young Italian I hear you ask?

Of course
it was
me!!
A very
young
Tony

To this!
Native-like speaker,
Linguist and
teacher!
I went from this
with almost zero
knowledge of English

Here’s how I did it…

Tony’s golden rules to make it through learning English:
1. LIMIT THE USE OF YOUR FIRST LANGUAGE
2. ALWAYS ASK QUESTIONS.
5. BE CURIOUS AND INTERESTED!
3. LISTEN TO NATIVE SPEAKERS AND IMITATE THEM!!
6. SPEAK, LISTEN, REPEAT AND THINK IN ENGLISH!
4. NEVER BE AFRAID OF MAKING MISTAKES

1. What do the acronyms ESL and EFL stand for?
a) English as a Second Language; English as a First Language
b) English as a Secondary Language; English as a Foreign
Language
c) English as a Standard Language; English as a Foreign Language
d) English as a Secondary Language; English as a Second
Language
3. Why is it believed that young children can learn more than one
language easier than adults?
a) Because they have better memory skills
b) Because their brains are more flexible
c) Because they have more opportunities for language exposure
d) Because they receive better language instruction
4. According to Lenneberg, what is the critical age range for
language learning?
a) Between birth and 6 years old
b) Between 6 and 12 years old
c) Between 18 months and early puberty
d) Between early puberty and adulthood
5. What does the text suggest about the advantages of adult
learners in terms of grammar and pronunciation?
a) Adults have an advantage in both grammar and pronunciation
b) Adults excel in grammar but struggle with pronunciation
c) Adults excel in pronunciation but struggle with grammar
d) Adults struggle with both grammar and pronunciation
6. In what ways does speaking, listening, reading, and writing
improve language learning, as explained in the text?
a) They are separate skills that don't impact each other
b) They are interconnected skills that collectively improve language
proficiency
c) They hinder language learning progress
d) They only benefit language learning if practiced individually
7. What is neuroplasticity, and how does it relate to language
learning according to the text?
a) It refers to the brain's ability to change in response to external
stimuli; it impacts language learning as individuals age
b) It refers to the brain's ability to learn new languages easily
c) It refers to the brain's resistance to language acquisition
d) It refers to the brain's inability to learn new languages after a
certain age
8. How can learning a new language benefit brain health, based on
the text?
a) It can speed up cognitive decline
b) It has no effect on brain health
c) It can slow age-related cognitive decline
d) It can increase the risk of neurological disorders
9. What were Tony’s golden rules?

Interesting things to watch and get to know more:
v BBC Learning English (website)
v BBC Learning English (YouTube channel)
v Watch TV shows on ITV, BBC, All4, and any other
TV channel.
v Podcasts!
(I have a podcast of my own if you want, it’s
called TPC)
v Radio (Sounds app from BBC)

Thank you for listening.
Questions?
Anthony James (Tony) Fornaro
MA Linguistics, BA TESOL, CELTA, Foundation TEFL
anthony@englishwithease.uk
Co-founder & Director
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