Intensive/Regular Learning

Question

Most, if not all English courses I know of have a set pace and go on at this pace for a certain period of time. Now I had the idea that an ideal course should have a rhythm, e.g. one week intensive learning followed by three weeks regular, sort of according to the student's biorhythm, and/or taking into account the student's available time. I discussed my idea with someone who has taught English, and she didn't like it at all.

Do such courses already exist? Is there a theory about this way of learning? What's your opinion?

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]Most, if not all English courses I know of have a set pace and go on at this pace for ... it at all. Do such courses already exist? Is there a theory about this way of learning? What's your opinion?[/nq]
Not only does this make sense, I think it probably happens naturally anyway; students come to class one week full of energy and putting lots of ideas and input into the lesson, next week the same student prefers to be more passive, go with the flow and watch things unfold; both are valid ways of learning. And a good teacher should be aware of rhythm, and try to vary pace and type of activity both within a lesson and across a course. I'm interested in distance learning at the moment, and I think your model fits it well - do a class, go away for a while, do some reading, come back to an online forum, etc etc...
Designing traditional courses round this sort of model would probably also be a good idea, but other constraints (such as teacher and student availablity ...) tend to make it difficult. I'm not aware of any literature discussing the idea, although it's reminiscent of Krashen and Tyrell's 'Natural Approach', and I'd be interested in knowing why your friend doesn't like it.
Sadly teachers also have up days and down days...
DC, badly in need of a holiday

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Most, if not all English courses I know of have a set pace and go on at this pace for ... it at all. Do such courses already exist? Is there a theory about this way of learning? What's your opinion?[/nq]
The results you obtain are proportional to the total time spent studying the language. How the time is organized is far les important.

Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Most, if not all English courses I know of have ... a theory about this way of learning? What's your opinion?[/nq]
[nq:1]Not only does this make sense, I think it probably happens naturally anyway; students come to class one week full ... it's reminiscent of Krashen and Tyrell's 'Natural Approach', and I'd be interested in knowing why your friend doesn't like it.[/nq]
It was probably fear of the unknown, and too little time to get used to the idea. We had only a 30 minutes talk. After talking with her again today she thought it might actually work.

[nq:1]Sadly teachers also have up days and down days... DC, badly in need of a holiday[/nq]
Hope you get one soon, DC. Do you celebrate Father's Day were you're living?

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Most, if not all English courses I know of have ... a theory about this way of learning? What's your opinion?[/nq]
[nq:1]The results you obtain are proportional to the total time spent studying the language. How the time is organized is far les important.[/nq]
May I ask you why you are so sure? You're saying this as if it were common knowledge among teachers. Is there some reading material on the web? No offense meant, really.
The thing is, I'm not a teacher. I have tried to google up something, but with the search terms "english teaching" I got around 6 million hits, and still 476,000 after adding "methodology". After adding "intensive" there were still 127,000 hits. I have looked into some of these and found nothing relevant, so far.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]May I ask you why you are so sure?[/nq]
Because I've seen lots of people who have learned in lots of different time patterns, and total study time is one of the best predictors of proficiency, no matter how the time is divided.
[nq:1]You're saying this as if it were common knowledge among teachers.[/nq]
Sometimes I wonder if there is any common knowledge among ESL teachers.

It's only an opinion, but I think it has a sound basis.
[nq:1]Is there some reading material on the web? No offense meant, really.[/nq]
Not that I'm aware of, but I haven't looked.

Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.

Usenet · Answer

Thanks! In the UK we celebrate Father's Day on June 20th, the same day as in the US. Not being a Dad myself, I buy a card but don't get any though!

Cheers
Django

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Most, if not all English courses I know of have a set pace and go on at this pace for ... it at all. Do such courses already exist? Is there a theory about this way of learning? What's your opinion?[/nq]
The above applies to any teaching situation.
Even if it's teaching Science or History or PhysEd in the native language the students have differing aptitudes/rhythms/learning styles yet the course
must be completed in the time alloted.
The teacher has to be sensitive to individual
student needs but not to the point that the
students determine the progress of the course -:)

Usenet · Answer

I agree

Intensive/Regular Learning

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