What do you think about learning English?How long have you been studying English?

Do you think more grammar lessons will really change the way you speak English?

What do you think would improve your English?

English “Urban Myths” True or False: “When I do speaking practice, I

would like my teacher to correct every mistake I make”.

True or False: “If I use correct grammar/word choice, accent/pronunciation is not that important.”

True or False: “As far as pronunciation goes, sounds like “th” are much more important than the rhythms and tones of language.

True or False: “The best way to improve my English is to listen and repeat what I hear, just like a child does.”

Communication isn’t just words or grammar rulesMany factors work together! Parts of language

Segmentals (sounds) Suprasegmentals (stress,

rhythm, intonation/tone) Syntax (grammar) Vocabulary (which words) Nonverbal

Communication Pragmatics (“It’s not just

what you say, but it’s how you say it.”)

“The straw that broke that camel’s back”

What causes this?Most often, pronunciation and pragmatics…

“Huh?”

“What?”

“Could you please repeat that?”

The “Ballerina Fallacy”Common sense tells us we learn to do a physical pursuit by actually practicing the physical pursuit. Why do we treat speaking a foreign language as an exception?Should we?