ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING: THEORY, PRACTICE AND INNOVATION

Abstract

The acquisition of language has been a topic of debate and on-going research as individuals seek to comprehend the mechanisms involved in how we learn languages. English, like all languages, comes with a set of challenges for a foreign learner. Certain challenges are easy to overcome- for instance- mastering the construction of simple sentences, learning basic grammar and vocabulary, and developing listening comprehension through active focussed practice. Other challenges prove more formidable, posing difficulty even for advanced learners and teachers. Questions such as – ‘What is present perfect tense used for? Is there a future perfect continuous tense? How to handle spelling and pronunciation discrepancies- for instance why is there different pronunciation for ‘though’, ‘through’ and ‘thought’? When do we use a/an/the? How to understand the cultural context and the cultural nuances so as to communicate effectively? How to comprehend idiomatic expressions, humor, or social conventions that are specific to English speaking cultures? How to understand the implied meaning and draw correct inferences? How to write clearly and coherently? How to speak confidently?’ and many more in the same league confront English language speakers, especially non-native ones.