Yes, I sometimes terrorise my students!
As some of you may know, my prime function in life is to teach English as a second language to business professionals. Because I live in Europe, where English has become the lingua franca or bridge language between the various languages that are spoken throughout Europe, I have plenty to keep me occupied.
Teaching language to adults though, presents a challenge because the acquisition of language is of course something that is assumed to be easier for young learners. However, it is not so much that children learn faster. Adults have advanced skills in reading and writing in their own language, and when it comes to learning a new language, such as English, adult learners rely heavily on their existing reading skill in particular to learn.
But, this is where things can really come unstuck! Why? Because English really sucks when it comes to what is written and what is said. This little video, which I use a lot, never fails to terrorise my students. Watch it and you’ll understand why.
Now I think you understand why my students cringe in fear when I hand them a copy of The Chaos to recite?
