Entry Four: Final Course Reflection
Reflection
When enrolling in this class I had zero idea what second language acquisition was. All I knew is that it was a class I had to scratch off of my degree plan. So, I planned on doing just that. Instead, I learned a vast amount of information and was able to gain knowledge about what it takes for a person to acquire a second language.
As mentioned throughout my Vblogs, I was an ESL student all through elementary school. This being said, I had some familiarity about how one goes about learning a second language but not to the extent of what I know now. Being in this course has helped so much in my understanding in learning a second language. For starters, I had no idea there were such things as different types of bilinguals. I believe that this had to be one of the most interesting aspects of second language acquisition that I read. I was able to learn more about myself being a bilingual. For example, I learned what bilingualism meant, and how it deals with second language acquisition. "Bilingualism is a broad term and, like heritage language acquisition, has many forms and configurations" (Gass & Selinker, 2013, p.24). Upon reading our texts I was able to define myself as functioning bilingual and learn that everyone who knows a second language is so different and unique. Adding on to that, I learned a great amount of information for me and my future classroom. Referencing back to being bilingual, this class and its featured scholars has shown me that being bilingual is so unique. In the classroom, one must recognize that not every bilingual is going to be the same and we as educators have to realize this (Dr.Namazi). We must also be familiar with what SLA actually is. It was so interesting to learn the different aspects that take play in learning a second language. From age to universal influences, to anxiety, learning a second language is a delicate, yet impactful thing. I think that this was the biggest thing I've learned throughout the course. Many people take learning a second language for granted and believe that all it takes is taking some high school classes. On the contrary, if one wants to perfect a language it takes more than just instructional learning, but also immersion and naturalistic learning. (Ortega, 2013, p.10). These are the things that I wouldn't have known if it weren't for this course, and in the long run, having this new foundation on second language acquisition will more than help me in my future endeavors.
This class was completely different from what I was expecting. The Vblogs caught me by surprise, and the constant interactions with our peers was overwhelming. Yet, this process entirely was very educational and helped me so much in learning, what I believe to be, one of the most difficult concepts to grasp as an EC-6 educator. Having the opportunities to interview and really dig information out of our interviewees was the perfect way to see SLA in real life. In addition, we had so many different points of views being documented, and it was just so informative and interesting to see where everyone comes from, and how they dealt with SLA in their lives. Overall, I believe the Vblogs is what sets this class apart from all the other classes I have taken so far.
Upon making this reflection, I have realized how much language really has impacted me as a person. It has shaped who I am as an individual and made me so grateful for the educators in my life that took the time to help me acquire my second language. This being said, I am genuinely interested in learning more about second language studies and I am now more inclined to take the bilingual content exam in hopes of being just as impactful to my future students. Thank you all for such a great semester, and I wish you all the best in your future classrooms. Until next time! ¡Hasta luego! À la prochaine!
Sources:
Gass, S. (2013). Second language acquisition: An introductory course. Routledge.
Ortega, L. (2013). Understanding second language acquisition. Routledge.
This class was completely different from what I was expecting. The Vblogs caught me by surprise, and the constant interactions with our peers was overwhelming. Yet, this process entirely was very educational and helped me so much in learning, what I believe to be, one of the most difficult concepts to grasp as an EC-6 educator. Having the opportunities to interview and really dig information out of our interviewees was the perfect way to see SLA in real life. In addition, we had so many different points of views being documented, and it was just so informative and interesting to see where everyone comes from, and how they dealt with SLA in their lives. Overall, I believe the Vblogs is what sets this class apart from all the other classes I have taken so far.
Upon making this reflection, I have realized how much language really has impacted me as a person. It has shaped who I am as an individual and made me so grateful for the educators in my life that took the time to help me acquire my second language. This being said, I am genuinely interested in learning more about second language studies and I am now more inclined to take the bilingual content exam in hopes of being just as impactful to my future students. Thank you all for such a great semester, and I wish you all the best in your future classrooms. Until next time! ¡Hasta luego! À la prochaine!
Sources:
Gass, S. (2013). Second language acquisition: An introductory course. Routledge.
Ortega, L. (2013). Understanding second language acquisition. Routledge.
Hey there, Alexander! I think it is so great that you went into this class thinking of it as just a degree plan requirement and were able to walk away with so much valuable information. I think it will be really awesome when you are a teacher since you have had this class to teach you about English language learners and your personal background of being in ESL classes as a child. I like how you said that learning a second language is incredibly impactful, though it is a delicate process. I know you will be an awesome teacher if you stay motivated, and your keep your students motivated (Ortega, 2013). Your students are going to have an awesome time in your class!
ReplyDeleteSources: Ortega, L. (2013). Understanding second language acquisition. Routledge.
P.S. I deleted the last comment because I forgot something. Sorry about that!
Hi, Dahlia! Thank you so much for your comment, and support! I really do believe that learning a second language is so impactful, yet very complex. In Ortega’s Understanding Second Language Acquisition, she mentions that second language acquisition is a “mega-field that concerns itself with problems that have their roots in the intersections between language and society, education and cognition” (Ortega, 2013, p.7). You see, second language acquisition comes from all different elements in one’s life. Because of this, I believe that people take for granted how intricate and detailed it is for one to learn a second language. Again, thank you so much for your support and I wish you the best in your future classroom!
DeleteReferences:
Ortega, L. (2013). Understanding second language acquisition. Routledge
Hello again, Alexander! You said that learning a second language comes from all different elements of one’s life, and I definitely agree that learning a second language encompasses all of these different elements. Without language, there is no communication, and good communication serves to create a better world. In Understanding Second Language Acquisition, it is noted that the details of people’s L2 learning can vary due to economic, political, and social factors (Ortega, 2013). By fostering good communication between teachers and students or students and their peers, society becomes a better place.
DeleteSources: Ortega, L. (2013). Understanding second language acquisition. Routledge.
Hello Alexander! I also had no idea what second language acquisition was. However, I did know it was a required course for my degree. In my own reflection, I had written that bilingualism was one of the topics I found most interesting. I had a small understanding of what it meant, but I never knew of the different categories of bilinguals. As I found out, many other people are unaware of the different types of bilinguals. Two key questions of interest are how the two (or more) languages are represented in the brain and how bilingual speakers switch and alternate between their two (or more) languages (Ortega, 2013, p.4). We have learned whether bilinguals learn two languages with two separate systems or a unitary system. There has been much research on both ideas.
ReplyDeleteOrtega, L. (2013). Understanding second language acquisition. Routledge.
Hey, Maria! It is interesting that Ortega mentions those two key questions, while Gass and Selinker focus more on the complexity that is defining bilingualism. In their textbook, Second language acquisition: An introductory course, they look more into how “the concept of bilingualism is interpreted differently in the field of SLA” (Gass & Selinker, 2013, p.25). In other words, Gass and Selinker point out the different scholars and theories and how they interpret what defines a bilingual, while Ortega talks about how languages are interpreted within a bilinguals brain. Nonetheless, I believe bilingualism is way more complex than what I was taught growing up. It wasn’t until this course that I learned what being a bilingual really means. I’m glad to see someone with a similar reaction to this. Thank again for your comment!
DeleteReferences:
Gass, S. (2013). Second language acquisition: An introductory course. Routledge.
Alexander, your blog has been one of the more unique and interesting ones I have seen and participated in during this short semester. Your views concerning Ortega's critical period and environmental analysis are inspiring and insightful as your views are heavily influenced by your personal experiences (2011). I am also glad that you have gained a deeper love for second-language learning, and will pursue other avenues as a teacher because of this class. I hope your endeavors are fruitful, and you continue being as engaging in your classroom as you are here on this online community!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Ila, I really appreciate your comment! I really do believe that Ortega’s, Understanding second language acquisition, put language into perspective for me. The semester started off by reading her introductory chapter where I was immediately hooked in. It was crazy for me being multilingual never to have realized that “language is one of the most uniquely human capacities that our species possesses, and one that is involved in all others, including consciousness, sociality and culture” (Ortega, 2013, p.1). Honestly, it was the introduction that got so interested in what SLA really is. I plan to take this interest and curiosity about the subject with me in my future educational endeavors, and hope to learn more about SLA. Thanks again for your continuous comments and replies, and I wish you the best in your future classroom!
DeleteReferences:
Ortega, L. (2013). Understanding second language acquisition. Routledge
Ortega's discussion and approach to second-language skills and strategies also resonated with me as I had not had much exposure to the topic before this short semester (2011). I am glad that this course has given you a vigor and passion for teaching in a separate capacity from other courses. Your blog has always had some interesting insights, so I glad that you enjoyed mine as well! Hopefully, there will be more teachers like yourself who value L2 in their classrooms beyond simply imitating syntax or speech, and strive to identify with the meaning behind the language itself.
Delete