Learning gaps and english language learning
Learning gaps refer to differences between what a student has learned and what they were expected to learn. If not addressed early, learning gaps can grow significantly and require intense remediation. English language teachers understand this issue, as concepts not learned properly at an early stage pose challenges later. Both students and teachers struggle when foundational language skills were not adequately acquired. Grammar, pronunciation and other concepts become difficult to unlearn and relearn if incorrect versions were practiced over time. Early education is vital, with emphasis on speaking opportunities and remedial work to identify and address learning gaps through resources like digital language labs that help remove influences and provide activities to fill gaps in English language learning.
Learning gaps and english language learning
- 1. Learning Gaps and English Language Learning A learning gap is the difference between what a student has learnt and what he/she was expected to learn during a particular class or by a particular grade. The learning progression that the student failed to make can be minor or may be so huge that it tantamounts to his/her repeating an entire course or academic year. Learning gaps when identified at the earliest can be reparable in nature. If left unattended at this stage, over time they bloom into such intensity that they may be repaired only after intense remedial intervention. An English language teacher understands these issues ever so clearly. The language concepts not learnt properly at the appropriate stage, pose incredible challenges for the student in the later years. The teacher in-charge of the students in the later classes is also faced with issues regarding faulty or inadequate learning levels of concepts in their learners. Both the student and the teacher find it difficult to overcome these learning gaps in the later years. This often results in the student lagging behind his/her peers while also facing difficulty in learning more advanced or comprehensive concepts. Grammar and other language concepts once learnt and when over a time put into regular use, tend to get internalised. The unlearning process to allow for the learning of the correct version becomes difficult. This is especially true for language structures being wrongly learnt and practised. The English teacher finds the rectification of such errors very challenging. This also holds true in the area of pronunciation. If a faulty sound pattern is adapted by a student in his/her formative years of language learning, the instances of it staying on for life are rather high. A lot
- 2. of effort on both the teacher and the student is then called for, to ensure the removal of the incorrect acquisition. Mother-tongue influence is also a great factor for improper pronunciation. This is why lot of investment in the early years of education is considered vital. As far as the early education of language learning is concerned, the emphasis on opportunity to speak and for remedial work to be done should be particularly high. The learning gaps being identified at the earliest, the student should be provided with ample remedial content fill these gaps. The assistance of digital language labs can be taken to meet the language gap need. The teaching- learning content of good digital language labs like the Words Worth English Language Lab, allows the student with opportunity to remove any mother-tongue influence that may have been the reason for improper pronunciation. This digital language lab also takes care of addressing many learning gaps associated with English language learning through the range of activities integrated into the software. The teaching-learning experience therein, allows for the identification of any learning gaps at the earliest.