Current issues in second language learning Essay

Current issues in second language learning - Essay Example e constructivist approach, wherein the learner needs to be actively engaged in the learning process through his/her interactions with the environment. The role of a teacher within a constructivist framework would be largely a facilitative one – aiding a student to learn by encouraging him/her to construct, rather than the traditional role of supplier of information. The policy of Constructivism takes into account the nature and development of knowledge and according to Van Glasersfeld, constructivism is a "theory of knowledge with roots in philosophy, psychology and cybernetics."1 Therefore, when learning is examined from a constructivist perspective, there is an underlying implication that the manner in which knowledge is constructed within an individual’s mind is fashioned by the environment that he is subjected to. Therefore teaching methods must be modified accordingly in order to accommodate learning practices. For instance, if students are perceived as mere learning receptacles, then teaching would constitute only the transmission of knowledge however, when applying constructivism, the knowledge that is being transmitted will be additionally processed by a student, then the teaching approach must incorporate attempts to transmit meaning and understanding to the students to help them make sense of their world2. The Constructivist approach transforms the learning process into a one on one process between an individual and his environment. Knowledge becomes intimately associated with and unique to every individual learner, since it is not an absolute entity existing as a separate external reality but rather it is integral to every learner whose knowledge will be conditioned by his/her own experiences. Therefore, applying this principle, reality is made up of â€Å"the network of things and relationships that we rely on in living.†3 Hence reality will be interpreted and constructed in accordance with the individual learner’s experiences and interactions

Class race gender Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Class race gender - Essay Example In this book, Wilson is applying an exciting new reasoned framework to three politically filled social problems. Wilson makes it very clear that the causes of poverty are structural in nature. He argues that structural forces, which he defines as the behavior shared by people who are in the same circumstances. He discusses that the black community unemployment, poverty, and teenage mothers are â€Å"cultural† because they follow from the individual’s perception of how the society looks. In other words, the black communities grow up with a mentality that whatever they are going through is the way of life (Martinez 59). Wilson states that structural causes â€Å"should be given more weight†. There seems to be a fundamental message in the book that claims that the poor blacks are not responsible nor can they fix anything that is structural until the barriers are removed either by the governing or by the racial discriminators themselves (Martinez 45). Wilson also feels that the social scientist are wasting time studying the structural causes rather than proposing methods that can be used to remove these barriers. The removal of these structural barriers will free the black community from racism bondage like illiteracy, employment, and social class. Therefore, Wilson emphasizes on change, no matter how long it might take. Further, he believes that this change ought to happen because it is the only barrier hindering the black community from prosperity. This change can begin by implementing neutral social policies and that those in power should address domestic poverty and establish vocational training and offer jobs for the blacks in ghetto. This will reduce unemployment and improve the class of the black community (Chin 87). However, Wilsons mind was changed by Barack Obama’s famous campaign speech on race, and how blacks and whites hailed at the speech. Wilson believes that Obama will eventually address racism and bring Am erica to