Algirdas Makarevicius. Teaching Experience
My Teaching Experience
I taught many courses at universities and colleges in Europe, Asia, Papua New Guinea, and the Middle East. These courses can be divided into five areas: (1) English as a second or foreign language, (2) linguistics and culture, (3) professional, academic, and social communication, (4) research, and (5) education.
I taught the following courses:
(1) English as a second or foreign language courses
Academic Reading and Writing 1, Academic Reading and Writing 2, General English (English 1 and English 2), English for Academic Purposes, Computer Based Learning (CBL), Business English Communication Skills, Advanced Academic Writing, Essay Writing, English for Academic and Research Purposes, English for International Communication, English for Nurses, Business English for MBA Students, IELTS Preparation, Medical English, Intensive Reading, and Extensive Reading.
(2) Linguistics and culture courses
Western Culture, Australian Studies, Language and Culture, Comparative Stylistics, Error Analysis, Sociolinguistics, Applied Linguistics, and Foreign Roots of English Words.
(3) Professional, academic, and social communication courses
Communication in the Workplace, Academic Spoken Communication, Job Search Skills, Creating Your Future, Life and Study Skills, Academic and Professional Communication, Mass Media and Communication, Language Study and Communication Skills, Communication Skills, and Public Speaking Skills.
(4) Research courses
Methods of Scientific Research and Development, Writing a Research Paper, English for Academic and Research Purposes, Writing for Research Purposes, Introduction to Social Science, Report Writing Skills, and Research Methods.
(5) Education courses
Introduction to Education, Material Development and Adaptation, Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL), Theory and Practice of TEFL, Educational Administration and Management, Critical Thinking Skills, Introduction to Sustainability, and Educational Technologies.
My Reflections on Teaching
Many students and even some English teachers think that learning a foreign language is reading and memorizing grammar rules and words. Well, those activities are necessary, but they are not essential. Many language learners ignore the fact that apart from learning a foreign language, they need to develop some practical language skills. They must practice the language daily because language skills are acquired, not learned.
What does 'acquire' mean? - To acquire language skills means that learners 'pick up' certain abilities and techniques, not just memorize and learn grammar rules, vocabulary, phrases, syntactical structures, and information about the language. Acquiring a language is like acquiring swimming skills. Learners must not only understand the concepts but also have information at hand. They must also make their bodies adapt to using new information in their physical activities. In the case of language acquisition, the physical activities involved are listening, speaking, reading, writing, and body language (or, to be more precise – paralanguage, i.e., mimics, gestures, facial expressions, and other paralinguistic aspects). Learners must memorize, understand, and practice to 'pick up' specific skills.
Students need to study every day because language learning is an ongoing process. They must refrain from getting by in a foreign language course by cramming at the last minute like they do with history, geography, or other subjects. It may be possible to memorize vocabulary one or two days before the examination, but there would not be enough time to learn how to use these words and phrases in sentences. We cannot cram overnight for a swimming, skiing, or skating test. Learning a language is a lifestyle, and language skills must be developed daily.
My Teaching Methods, Materials, and Teaching Philosophy
Algirdas Makarevicius. Teaching Materials for ESL Teachers and Students
Algirdas Makarevicius. Which is the Best Teaching Method?
Algirdas Makarevicius. My Philosophy about Teaching and Learning
My Teaching Experience
I taught many courses at universities and colleges in Europe, Asia, Papua New Guinea, and the Middle East. These courses can be divided into five areas: (1) English as a second or foreign language, (2) linguistics and culture, (3) professional, academic, and social communication, (4) research, and (5) education.
I taught the following courses:
(1) English as a second or foreign language courses
Academic Reading and Writing 1, Academic Reading and Writing 2, General English (English 1 and English 2), English for Academic Purposes, Computer Based Learning (CBL), Business English Communication Skills, Advanced Academic Writing, Essay Writing, English for Academic and Research Purposes, English for International Communication, English for Nurses, Business English for MBA Students, IELTS Preparation, Medical English, Intensive Reading, and Extensive Reading.
(2) Linguistics and culture courses
Western Culture, Australian Studies, Language and Culture, Comparative Stylistics, Error Analysis, Sociolinguistics, Applied Linguistics, and Foreign Roots of English Words.
(3) Professional, academic, and social communication courses
Communication in the Workplace, Academic Spoken Communication, Job Search Skills, Creating Your Future, Life and Study Skills, Academic and Professional Communication, Mass Media and Communication, Language Study and Communication Skills, Communication Skills, and Public Speaking Skills.
(4) Research courses
Methods of Scientific Research and Development, Writing a Research Paper, English for Academic and Research Purposes, Writing for Research Purposes, Introduction to Social Science, Report Writing Skills, and Research Methods.
(5) Education courses
Introduction to Education, Material Development and Adaptation, Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL), Theory and Practice of TEFL, Educational Administration and Management, Critical Thinking Skills, Introduction to Sustainability, and Educational Technologies.
My Reflections on Teaching
Many students and even some English teachers think that learning a foreign language is reading and memorizing grammar rules and words. Well, those activities are necessary, but they are not essential. Many language learners ignore the fact that apart from learning a foreign language, they need to develop some practical language skills. They must practice the language daily because language skills are acquired, not learned.
What does 'acquire' mean? - To acquire language skills means that learners 'pick up' certain abilities and techniques, not just memorize and learn grammar rules, vocabulary, phrases, syntactical structures, and information about the language. Acquiring a language is like acquiring swimming skills. Learners must not only understand the concepts but also have information at hand. They must also make their bodies adapt to using new information in their physical activities. In the case of language acquisition, the physical activities involved are listening, speaking, reading, writing, and body language (or, to be more precise – paralanguage, i.e., mimics, gestures, facial expressions, and other paralinguistic aspects). Learners must memorize, understand, and practice to 'pick up' specific skills.
Students need to study every day because language learning is an ongoing process. They must refrain from getting by in a foreign language course by cramming at the last minute like they do with history, geography, or other subjects. It may be possible to memorize vocabulary one or two days before the examination, but there would not be enough time to learn how to use these words and phrases in sentences. We cannot cram overnight for a swimming, skiing, or skating test. Learning a language is a lifestyle, and language skills must be developed daily.
My Teaching Methods, Materials, and Teaching Philosophy
Algirdas Makarevicius. Teaching Materials for ESL Teachers and Students
Algirdas Makarevicius. Which is the Best Teaching Method?
Algirdas Makarevicius. My Philosophy about Teaching and Learning
