English speaking in the advanced levels
Most of the cadets have the capacity to communicate in a comfortable
manner. They tend to use vocabulary that is known to them and they never
risk by using new and more level oriented lexicons. Some problems with
pronunciation have been noticed, most of the time in the S and in the regular
verb in the past ED. Some cadets demonstrate clear speakers abilities in
their demeanour and use of the language but they are lacking necessary
vocabulary to be more e cient. Mixes with other , another and others very
present and gender change when talking is also noticed.
I feel that they need to be in contact with English more (teachers should
speak English with them) probably having an extra hour in the high levels
would be appreciated.
As for intonations and pauses , most cadets use them in a proper way. They
are pretty at ease when it comes to speaking, it is something they do well
and they do not speed through a speaking task. They have an initial idea to
follow a topic but tend to block half way through and stop speaking and this
indicates lack of vocabulary. In some cases, there is a lack of originality and
this can create incoherence at times.
If you speak to them about themes that they have seen throughout the
years , they will robotically give you a by the book speech but they lose all
sense of naturality when it comes to topics that they are not acquainted with.
In these cases, all their security goes down and the mistakes resurface.
In my opinion, the quantity of topics the cadets are confronted with in the
academy are limited or out of date, making it harder for them to acquire
uidity, con dence and lexicon. We need to naturalise the English input and
ensure that they can speak of anything at anytime with the same approach
as that of any English speaker.
My plan as a teacher is to outline an individualised program whereas each
cadet will work on their aws and correct them with the aid of some tools
and hopefully this way they will feel more secure and they will be capable of
debating and verbally expressing themselves in a more bilingual manner.
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OBSEVATIONS:
-The cadets feel the exam practice they have been doing in classes is
outdated or repetitive.
-up to now they felt that the speaking classes did not involve them, they
even mention that many times they sat at the back of the class and waited
for the class to end.
-the reading class are demotivating
-they feel that they have the level they have now thanks to the extra classes
they paid for.
-they feel tension in the English teams / there is a clear division and they feel
they aren’t getting the full advantages from the teachers due to this.
-they feel that the English teachers aren’t there to listen to them and
appreciate that I take the time to do so.
-when they ask for a revision on the exam they were graded for, they feel
they aren’t getting clear explanations and at times they feel they are not
listened to.
