Learning a language is one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences you can have in your life. It can open up new opportunities, perspectives, and connections that can enrich your personal and professional growth. However, learning a language is also not an easy task. It requires time, effort, motivation, and the right resources and strategies to achieve your goals.
In this article, we will explore some of the latest trends and tips that can help you learn a language in 2023. These trends reflect the current state of the world, the needs and preferences of language learners and teachers, and the innovations and developments in the field of language education. We will also provide some practical examples and suggestions on how to apply these trends and tips to your own language learning journey.
Contents:
Green ELT
Green ELT is a term that refers to the integration of environmental topics and sustainability into English language teaching and learning. Green ELT aims to raise awareness and action among language learners and teachers about the environmental issues and challenges that we face in the world today. Green ELT also promotes the development of language skills and competencies that can help learners communicate effectively about these issues and take part in finding solutions.
Some examples of how to incorporate green ELT into your language learning activities and materials are:
- Choose texts, videos, podcasts, or other sources that deal with environmental topics such as climate change, biodiversity, renewable energy, waste management, etc. You can use these sources to practice your reading, listening, speaking, or writing skills while also learning new vocabulary and expressions related to the environment.
- Create your own green ELT materials by using recycled or reusable materials such as paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, cans, etc. You can use these materials to make flashcards, posters, games, puzzles, or other creative projects that can help you review or learn new language items.
- Participate in green ELT projects or initiatives that involve collaborating with other language learners or teachers from different countries or regions. You can join online platforms or communities that offer opportunities for green ELT exchange or partnership. You can also organize your own green ELT events or activities such as webinars, workshops, campaigns, fundraisers, etc.
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality (VR) is a technology that creates a simulated environment that can be experienced through a headset or a device. VR can enhance language learning experiences by providing immersive and realistic settings where learners can practice their language skills in various scenarios and situations. VR can also provide feedback and guidance to learners through artificial intelligence (AI) or human agents.
Some examples of how to use VR for language learning are:
- Choose VR applications that are designed for language learning or that have language learning features. You can use these applications to access different environments such as cities, museums, restaurants, airports, etc. where you can interact with virtual characters or objects using your voice or gestures. You can also use these applications to learn new vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, etc. through games, quizzes, exercises, etc.
- Create your own VR content by using VR tools or platforms that allow you to create your own environments or scenarios. You can use these tools or platforms to design and customize your own language learning experiences according to your preferences and goals. You can also use these tools or platforms to share your VR content with other learners or teachers.
- Participate in VR events or activities that involve communicating with other learners or teachers from different countries or regions. You can join online platforms or communities that offer opportunities for VR exchange or partnership. You can also organize your own VR events or activities such as meetings, presentations, debates, etc.
Mediation
Mediation is a skill that involves facilitating communication between people who have different levels of language proficiency, cultural backgrounds, perspectives, etc. Mediation can help language learners communicate effectively in different situations such as explaining, summarizing, paraphrasing, clarifying, etc. Mediation can also help language learners develop other skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, intercultural competence, etc.
Some examples of how to develop mediation skills are:
- Choose materials that require mediation skills such as texts, videos, podcasts, or other sources that contain complex, ambiguous, or unfamiliar information or messages. You can use these materials to practice your mediation skills such as explaining the main idea, summarizing the key points, paraphrasing the difficult words or expressions, clarifying the doubts or questions, etc.
- Create your own materials that require mediation skills such as scenarios, situations, problems, or tasks that involve communication between people who have different needs, expectations, goals, etc. You can use these materials to practice your mediation skills such as facilitating a conversation, resolving a conflict, negotiating a deal, giving feedback, etc.
- Participate in activities that require mediation skills such as projects, assignments, assessments, or tests that involve working with other learners or teachers who have different levels of language proficiency, cultural backgrounds, perspectives, etc. You can use these activities to practice your mediation skills such as supporting your peers, collaborating with your partners, presenting your results, evaluating your performance, etc.
Life Skills
Life skills are skills that can help language learners achieve their personal and professional goals in the modern world. Life skills include skills such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, etc. Life skills can also help language learners cope with the challenges and opportunities that they face in their daily lives such as decision making, problem solving, self-management, etc.
Some examples of how to integrate life skills into your language learning activities and materials are:
- Choose materials that foster life skills such as texts, videos, podcasts, or other sources that stimulate your curiosity, imagination, inquiry, or reflection. You can use these materials to practice your life skills such as analyzing information, generating ideas, asking questions, or expressing opinions.
- Create your own materials that foster life skills such as projects, assignments, assessments, or tests that challenge your abilities, interests, goals, or values. You can use these materials to practice your life skills such as planning actions, executing tasks, monitoring progress, or evaluating outcomes.
- Participate in activities that foster life skills such as games, competitions, events, or programs that involve working with other learners or teachers who have different skills, personalities, roles, or responsibilities. You can use these activities to practice your life skills such as cooperating with others, adapting to changes, managing emotions, or giving feedback.
Task-Based Learning
Task-based learning (TBL) is a method that involves using tasks as the main unit of language learning and teaching. Tasks are activities that have a clear goal, a real-world relevance, and a communicative outcome. TBL can motivate language learners to use the language authentically and meaningfully while also developing their language skills and competencies.
Some examples of how to design and implement TBL activities and assessments are:
- Choose tasks that are suitable for your level, context, and goal of language learning and teaching. You can use tasks that are based on your personal or professional interests, needs, or experiences. You can also use tasks that are related to your curriculum, syllabus, or textbook.
- Create tasks that have a clear structure, procedure, and criteria. You can use the following steps to design and implement your tasks:
- Pre-task: Introduce the topic, activate prior knowledge, provide necessary input or support.
- Task: Perform the task individually or in groups, using the language resources available.
- Post-task: Report the outcome of the task, reflect on the process and performance, provide or receive feedback.
- Participate in tasks that involve interacting with other learners or teachers from different countries or regions. You can join online platforms or communities that offer opportunities for TBL exchange or partnership. You can also organize your own tasks such as surveys, interviews, projects, etc.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explored some of the latest trends and tips that can help you learn a language in 2023. These trends reflect the current state of the world, the needs and preferences of language learners and teachers, and the innovations and developments in the field of language education. We have also provided some practical examples and suggestions on how to apply these trends and tips to your own language learning journey.
We hope you have found this article useful and informative. If you want to learn more about language learning, please visit our website or blog for more information and resources. We would love to hear from you and help you achieve your language learning goals.
Happy learning!