Saturday, June 4, 2011
Welcome to the Academy for English Studies!
Our School began in Dallas, Texas, in 1986. Parents of the young students who chose to remain in the classroom also learned to speak, read and write. With this observation adult classes soon began. Through the years the program has expanded from sucessfully teaching young international students basic English skills to teaching international studentsof all ages. This has enabled students to enter American schools at grade level and adults to excel in their professions.
From more than 20 years of experience the American iTalk method was developed emphasizing the Correct Pronunciation of all of the 60 plus sounds necessary to speak English so that it can be Understood. We never forget that the purpose of language is to Communicate clearly.
So please browse around on our site to see our methods, Virtual Classroom and success stories and hopefully you will find the solution to your English needs.
Jim and Doris Murray
The term ESL covers a rather large range of learning. Most students speak with a memorized vocabulary giving a stilted form of conversation. We will list some of the criterion for internationals that we use so that you may determine the areas most needed.
Beginning ESL: This student will need to learn the basic sounds and word structure in order to read, speak and write limited English. This is usually an international who is limited in the English language and must begin with the sounds, recognition of letters and letter combinations, and the correct pronunciation of those letters and sounds. With 4-6 hours per week, the student would begin sounding vowels, syllables, speaking comfortably in English with classmates and reading short paragraphs and stories within a twelve week period. This is accomplished by means of learning the phonetic sounds of word syllables. Mastering these requirements enables the student to move into the next level.
Intermediate ESL: This student has a basic understanding of English sounds, is able to read in comfort, both orally and silently, divide words into syllables and correctly pronounce words under study. This is usually done during the second or third course of study. This student will successfully learn to read, write and spell three and four syllable words, and build an adequate vocabulary. This student will also spell, write and correctly construct a paragraph of medium length while building an adequate English writing vocabulary. There will be an introduction of research or topical writing so that advancement to the next ESL level will be an easy transition.
Advanced ESL: An advanced ESL student will be comfortble reading, writing and speaking grammatically correct English. The student will be comfortable with dividing words into syllables, locating syllable forms, and correctly spelling words, and building a large American vocabulary with good definitions. Again, this does not refer to memorizing parts of speech or working within a limited framework of memorized words and terms. This student will be able to attend a college or university in the U.S.
After teaching international students for 25 years, I have found that most students have memorized lists of words and terms, and none have been ready to read, write or speak American English. It is imperative that the students have a strong basic understanding of sounds, syllable forms and spelling, thus, enabling the student to speak, read and write with some assurance. (This usually takes about 12 weeks, four hours of classtime per week) I find that two 2-hour classes per week are adequate to teach most of this information, and almost all of the students become very tired by the end of the second hour of classes.
Beginning ESL: This student will need to learn the basic sounds and word structure in order to read, speak and write limited English. This is usually an international who is limited in the English language and must begin with the sounds, recognition of letters and letter combinations, and the correct pronunciation of those letters and sounds. With 4-6 hours per week, the student would begin sounding vowels, syllables, speaking comfortably in English with classmates and reading short paragraphs and stories within a twelve week period. This is accomplished by means of learning the phonetic sounds of word syllables. Mastering these requirements enables the student to move into the next level.
Intermediate ESL: This student has a basic understanding of English sounds, is able to read in comfort, both orally and silently, divide words into syllables and correctly pronounce words under study. This is usually done during the second or third course of study. This student will successfully learn to read, write and spell three and four syllable words, and build an adequate vocabulary. This student will also spell, write and correctly construct a paragraph of medium length while building an adequate English writing vocabulary. There will be an introduction of research or topical writing so that advancement to the next ESL level will be an easy transition.
Advanced ESL: An advanced ESL student will be comfortble reading, writing and speaking grammatically correct English. The student will be comfortable with dividing words into syllables, locating syllable forms, and correctly spelling words, and building a large American vocabulary with good definitions. Again, this does not refer to memorizing parts of speech or working within a limited framework of memorized words and terms. This student will be able to attend a college or university in the U.S.
After teaching international students for 25 years, I have found that most students have memorized lists of words and terms, and none have been ready to read, write or speak American English. It is imperative that the students have a strong basic understanding of sounds, syllable forms and spelling, thus, enabling the student to speak, read and write with some assurance. (This usually takes about 12 weeks, four hours of classtime per week) I find that two 2-hour classes per week are adequate to teach most of this information, and almost all of the students become very tired by the end of the second hour of classes.
About Our School (Continued)
Most of the students need to be tested for vocabulary, reading and spelling and a level determination made. The form of instruction received by the student will immediately let the instructor know what will need to be taught and how much time will be needed for each class.
Many internationals have sought help from ESL programs in churches, community colleges, libraries and other publicly sponsored programs for those who desire to speak the language. These potentially productive citizens arrive believing that they will begin to find their dream a reality. Such is not usually the case!
Students are handed a form to fill out and a new "grammar" book. They are asked to pay for the book and told to find a seat and open the book. As the students are non-English speaking, they glance around to see if there is anyone in the group they know. Most will “follow the leader” - someone who looks as though she knows what is being said. This class may hold from 10-20 students. Many of the students are reserved in manner, and a little hesitant. Some, having already experienced some form of ESL instruction, sit tense and expectant. Many things have happened in other classrooms across the area. All are hopeful that this time there will be just what is needed to move forward in this new life.
These students cannot recognize the letters or sounds of the English language, but they are expected to learn grammar! These students cannot read a sentence let alone write one, but they are handed a grammar book! This concept defies understanding. Educators know or should know that children should begin learning at the very basic part of reading!
( Letters and Sounds) Because these students are older and more mature does not mean the basic concepts of learning to speak our language, read our language, and write our language should be skipped or set aside!
If taught in an orderly fashion a student will begin speaking and reading confidently within 5-6 weeks. All students will increase in grade level comprehension and vocabulary to 5th-7th grade levels within 12 weeks. Some will even begin writing complete sentences which is the last element an international student achieves. (They must be able to think and speak in English in order to write in English.) Some students will need more time in order to write longer, complete sentences, but now they are willing and able to understand what is happening! As students begin the blending of the first and second languages a confident student begins to emerge. This only comes when the teacher “puts the cookies on the bottom shelf!"
Doris L. Murray
Many internationals have sought help from ESL programs in churches, community colleges, libraries and other publicly sponsored programs for those who desire to speak the language. These potentially productive citizens arrive believing that they will begin to find their dream a reality. Such is not usually the case!
Students are handed a form to fill out and a new "grammar" book. They are asked to pay for the book and told to find a seat and open the book. As the students are non-English speaking, they glance around to see if there is anyone in the group they know. Most will “follow the leader” - someone who looks as though she knows what is being said. This class may hold from 10-20 students. Many of the students are reserved in manner, and a little hesitant. Some, having already experienced some form of ESL instruction, sit tense and expectant. Many things have happened in other classrooms across the area. All are hopeful that this time there will be just what is needed to move forward in this new life.
These students cannot recognize the letters or sounds of the English language, but they are expected to learn grammar! These students cannot read a sentence let alone write one, but they are handed a grammar book! This concept defies understanding. Educators know or should know that children should begin learning at the very basic part of reading!
( Letters and Sounds) Because these students are older and more mature does not mean the basic concepts of learning to speak our language, read our language, and write our language should be skipped or set aside!
If taught in an orderly fashion a student will begin speaking and reading confidently within 5-6 weeks. All students will increase in grade level comprehension and vocabulary to 5th-7th grade levels within 12 weeks. Some will even begin writing complete sentences which is the last element an international student achieves. (They must be able to think and speak in English in order to write in English.) Some students will need more time in order to write longer, complete sentences, but now they are willing and able to understand what is happening! As students begin the blending of the first and second languages a confident student begins to emerge. This only comes when the teacher “puts the cookies on the bottom shelf!"
Doris L. Murray
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