SIR,

GOOD DAY TO YOU. THIS SUMMER HOLIDAY, MY SCHOOL NEEDS ME TO GIVE SOME LESSONS TO THE CHINESE TEACHERS HERE ON HOW TO HANDLE THE ORAL AND LISTENING ENGLISH. INFACT, IT IS MY FIRST TIME TO DEAL WITH TEACHERS. SO I KNOW YOU WILL BE OF GOOD HELP BY GIVING ME SOME TIPS OR TEACHING STRATEGY HOW TO HANDLE THIS SECTION WITH THEM. SO I WILL BE HAPPY FOR YOUR KIND ADVICE ON THE METHOD TO USE AS WELL AS WHAT IS REALLY NECESSARY FOR ME TO TEACH THEM ON THESE FEW DAYS TRAINING PROGRAM. LOOK FORWARD HEARING FROM YOU SOON. THANKS FOR CO-OPERATION- UNTILL THEN

MY REGARDS

DON
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Dear Don,

Thank you for your email and for asking such a great question. Here is some advice that you can use when conducting your Teacher Training Meetings:

Second Language Acquisition, according to the research done by Dr. Stephen Krashen, Dr. James Cummins and Dr. Tracey Terrell, involves a process that includes four stages:
* Pre-Production
* Early Production
* Oral Fluency
* Full Production
In the Pre-production stage, the learner is basically in a listening mode only. This phase can last up to six months. The Early Production Stage is where the learner is able to say one or two word phrases as a way of communicating. The Oral Fluency stage is when the learner is able to produce a simple sentence, and finally the Full Production or Fluency level is where the learner is now able to produce a full sentence which expresses a complete thought and where the learner is using either compound or complex sentences.
Further, according to Krashen, Cummins and Terrell, acquisition of a second language can take a learner up to seven years before they achieve full fluency, comprehension and understanding. Additionally, when one is learning a second language, Krashen, Cummins and Terrell research has also identified that learning can be broken down into two categories- BICS and CALP. BICS refers to Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills, i.e. where the learner is able to use simple sentences and express themselves as a way for daily survival.
CALPS refers to Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency where a learner is able to understand language within the academic context it is being presented in and is able to analyze, evaluate and apply the information. Krashen, Cummins, and Terrell, as well as other Second Language Theorists have all agreed that a learner has to have mastered BICS before they can be exposed to CALPS. Otherwise, the learner will not have the comprehension skills needed in order to effectively use this second language.

Dr. Yanni Zack