| We belive that |
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| » | language is a system of communication and not just a set of rules. This is why we do not teach just grammar, but the whole language. |
| » | learning is an active process, and that the learner has to take responsibility for his/her own learning. |
| » | language learning requires a lot of practice. This is why we ask you to speak a lot in class. |
| » | language learning involves the whole person, not just analysis of rules. This is why we ask you to talk about all aspects of the world. |
| » | language ability is made up of a variety of skills, and this we why we do not focus on single language skills |
| » | an effective learning takes place in a comfortable environment. This is why the classes may feel more relaxed than you are used to. |
| » | everyone is different, and this is why we will take time to get to know you personally, so that we can better help you to learn. |
The way we work at Syllabus School is different from traditional methods of learning English. We believe it is more effective, but it may also be difficult to accept if you do not understand why things are done this way. Here we would like to draw your attention to what you can expect in class at our school, which may be different from your previous learning experience.
We tried to answer some of the questions frequently asked regarding our method at Syllabus School. If you are not sure about any aspect of our method, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Q: How can foreign teachers, who don't speak Bosnian, teach us English?
A: We believe that language exists for communication. Learning English in English exposes you to the language every minute of your class time. Listening to your teachers set up an activity in English, asking them clarify something , giving your opinion or sharing a joke in English is real communication from which you may learn more than from whole pages of grammar exercises.
Both foreign and local teachers prepare lessons very carefully to explain things in a very visual way by using examples, photos, drawings, miming and paraphrasing (using words students are already familiar with).
Our aim is to help you use English not only know about English. Therefore we limit explanations to what is useful at your level, what will make you communicate better.
Q: Why do we speak a lot with other students and very little with the teacher?
A: We want to maximise your learning time. If a student spoke only to a teacher, he/she would have only a few minutes of speaking practice for every hour in the class. With pair work and group work we can make it 20-30 minutes an hour.
In real world we have to communicate with people of different backgrounds and different mother tongues. The best way to recreate it in the classroom is by talking to as many group members as possible and by trying to learn from them as well as your teachers. Our school makes sure students in the group are of a similar level.
If the teachers spent all their teaching time speaking to students individually, they would not be able to listen to other students at the same time. During the pair work, the teacher is always listening to what you say and how you say it. Teachers take notes and comment on both good language and errors after the activity is over.
In this way you gain confidence and fluency and the communication is not interrupted. However, the teacher is always there for you if you need help.
Q: Why don't teachers translate words to Bosnian?
A: English is a totally different language and translation is rarely 100% exact. Some words do not have an equivalent in other languages at all! Besides, listening to an explanation in English gives you useful listening practice, seeing the word in context makes it memorable and using it in your own sentence makes it yours.
To be able to communicate fluently you need to start thinking in English and you cannot do it if you constantly jump from one language to the other. At the beginning your English will be simple but you can make even limited language resources go far if you are willing to communicate.
Q: Why do we have to do homework?
A: 24 hours later people remember about 25% of what they have learnt in class. Unless ... unless they revise by doing homework.
Homework helps you make your learning more effective. In our environment it is impossible to surround ourselves with English day and night and we do not have years and years to learn the way children learn their mother tongue. Therefore, we need teachers as professionals give us focussed practice which would help us master the language. Some homework esp. writing requires concentration and preparation which is difficult to achieve in class. The teachers will mark your homework within two lessons and give you advice based on what you have written.
Q: Why don't teachers explain grammar in Bosnian?
A: Our method requires grammar explanation come from a context, so that you can see how the language is used and what it means in real life. In this way learning becomes active and more memorable. The teachers plan the language focus very carefully; anticipate your questions and how to answer them clearly using phrases you are already familiar with.
The exercises they prepare will guide you towards using grammar not only knowing it theoretically. Doing it all in English gives you an opportunity to read, process the meaning, ask, answer, speak and listen intensively in English while you are focussing on structures. It will maximise your learning time and time for communication.
