Introduction
The development of English as a first or second language comprises four strategic domains. These include listening, reading, speaking and writing. An English language learner can either attend classes to learn the language from a teacher or tutor or may simply learn through association with frequent English as the way children learn language from their parents and peers. In the class contexts, learning of English required skills from the tutor as well as other learning materials like audio-visuals that are meant to reinforce written or spoken words from the teacher. The learning of English focuses on a few critical areas (Scrivener, 2005). These include functions which are the reasons for communication as inquiry, conversations and the rest. English learning also focuses on form and vocabulary which include grammar, syntax, and sentence structure. Fluency is also an integral part of English learning as it determines the proficiency in the language.
This paper gives a comprehensive analysis of the instructional strategies that one may use to facilitate English language development. Besides that, this assignment describes each strategy in the form of a narrative and assigns each strategy one of the four domains for language development. From this assignment, one will be in a position to understand when and where some of the learning strategies can be applied and the effectiveness of any of the domains on a strategy.
Instructional strategies used to help English language development
An English teacher charged with the responsibility of teaching learners in this language ought to apply certain strategies that will facilitate effective grasping on the end of students. First and foremost, a teacher should slow down his or her speech and use relatively short sentences in the present tenses. This is important in assisting learners to grasp and master what the teacher says in class. Young children learn how to speak by mimicking their mothers and sometimes fathers. The only way a kid would be able to mimic a person’s words is if the words are said clearly and in a way that is hearable by a person who does not understand the language (Syrja, 2011). A person who slows down in speech makes it easy for others to grasp whatever they are saying. Among the four domains of learning English, listening best suits this strategy. This is because the aim of slowing down speech and using simple words in the present tenses is to help learners listen better and not to write or read (Scrivener, 2005).
Another strategy that can be of great importance when it comes to teaching English learners is the use of more than one medium for passing information. It is advisable that an English teacher uses mediums like videos, teacher demonstrations, writing on chalk walls, oral speeches and student demonstrations. Such mediums are important in vivifying the lessons. Additionally, the various mediums make lessons memorable and, therefore, students may be in a position to memorize lesson contents from mediums like student demonstrations or videos. The learning domain that best suits this strategy is speaking (Scrivener, 2005). This is because speaking is all about the ability to memorize the words and the strategy offers avenues that enhance memorization of not only words and phrases, but also events that lead to the mention of such phrases.
Cue lists and bilingual leaflets or newsletters can play a vital role in aiding teachers to impart knowledge effectively on English learners. Such fliers are important in helping learners to revise and remember what had been taught in class. They apply in a class setup and not when parents teach their children how to speak in English. A student who has a readily available bilingual handout has no reason to seek explanations for the content of the handout because everything is translated. He or she is then in a position to read independently and understand. In this case, writing is the learning domain that is best illustrated by strategy.
Some teachers opt to use imagery and metaphors while teaching as a way of enhancing students’ attention in class. A vivid description of scenarios and examples in a class setup is important on creating memories thereby enhancing remembrance. Imagery used in the explanation of ideas also promotes remembrance by using pictures and images in the mind to recall an idea. Speaking and writing are the domains that best suit this strategy because it enhances memory that is important in writing and speaking a new language.
Lastly, the use of gestures, synonyms and examples during demonstrations can be an impeccable strategy for teachers to use while teaching learners how to write and speak in English. The use of synonyms enhances the chances of relating a word to another that a student already knows whereas the use of examples and gestures is vital in making student remember what they are taught. Examples and gestures relate new words to visible objects. As a result, the visible objects make learners to recall the new words learned in class. This strategy can be attributed to speaking and writing. This is because writing and speaking involves a lot of remembering and this strategy provides just that (Syrja, 2011).
Conclusion
In conclusion, therefore, English language development requires many teaching strategies. These strategies are aimed at enhancing the understanding of the four domain of learning English language. These include listening, reading, speaking and writing.
References
Scrivener, J. (2005). Learning teaching: A guidebook for English language teachers. Ismaning: Hueber.
Syrja, R.C. (2011). How to reach and teach English language learners: Practical strategies to ensure success. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bas
