Barriers to Meaningful Instruction for English Learners - Research Proposal Example

Barriers to Meaningful Instruction for English Learners Communication Skills In order to improve communication skills, there is need to develop an environment that facilitates communication before the problem arises since different cultures have varying degrees of social acceptance and contradicting opinions from different people. For instance, people can have a feeling that management has contradicting opinions, thereby making the process of communication inefficient. In this case, clear communication through writing or verbally, between parties is needed in order to eliminate challenges created by cultural barriers. I have learnt that the first step of solving a problem related to a long-term lack of clear communication is the creation of awareness, which is preceded by active steps aimed at improving communication that is initiated for the benefits of the employees and operations in the organization (Olynk & Widmar, 2004, 32). On the other hand, there are non-verbal languages, which entail the way a person, stands or carries themselves, and behaviours such as holding of their hands and arms during a conversation and facial expressions, and these cues have a significant effect on the communication. For instance, there are difficulties involved in a conversation where someone has their arms closed across their chest since this signifies a defensive pose. Therefore, in order to solve problems associated with cultural and non-verbal barriers, there is a need to use several mediums of communicating with people. Furthermore, I have identified the to focus on medium used in communication while communicating with people since each situation suits a certain medium such as face-to-face, over the phone, through text messaging or emails. Therefore, I have learnt the role of determining the medium, which suits a certain message in a given situation, for instance, a one should not avoid face-to-face communication by using text messages or emails; instead, they should focus on selecting the medium that suits every situation. Critical thinking Skills I am seeking to improve my critical thinking skills, which are applied constantly in my life and they have various benefits and significance. It is indispensable for everyone to learn about critical thinking skills and their applications in order to make better decisions. Critical thinking involves mental processes of analysis, discernment, and evaluation. It entails the possible processes for the reflection upon the tangible and intangible to form a judgment that is informed and solid to reconcile the scientific evidence involving common sense (Ennis, 1978, 321). I understand that as a critical thinker, I will have ability to gather relevant information from various senses, both verbal and written expressions, experiences, reflection, reasoning, and observation. According to Elder (2008, 43), the process of critical thinking involves thinking about a certain problem or subject in order to get to a point of the improvement in quality of thinking through skilful analogies. Therefore, application of critical thinking in various aspects of life has numerous benefits in the process of decision making Language Skills English is as an international language spoken worldwide, and it is accepted in a way that everyone is expected to learn to speak English as a tool to be applied in bridging "in international divides and borders". There are various reasons for everyone to consider having English as a second language. There are those who learn new a language in various ways, the most profound way of learning is through the internet. The process of learning a new language is begun at a young age and in other schools it is continued throughout the education of an person.  There are benefits related to learning English as a language in an environment that is user-friendly. This is particularly crucial, and it is abundantly utilized for the purpose of future experience in communication, including personal, educational, and professional life. Student with the interests of expanding their skills of language skills considers using the online learning tools in order for them to succeed. The use of this method is interactive and captivating; thus it is considered  immensely enjoyable and perfect for students having a busy schedule (Chiang, 2000, 34). Individuals with interest in learning English as a language in life are not discouraged. Moreover, there are individuals who get apparent need for English language, and it is also applied for frequent interaction with English speaking colleagues. It is also used for trading with different countries where people are expected to have knowledge of more than one language. Munro (2012, 1) explains that the current state of knowledge is depicted through the ability of students to transact and communicate, and their understanding of the world. It can also be illustrated through conventional writing of words and deriving different meaning of these words. In fact, knowledge is shared through understanding of language that is either written or spoken and the body language involved in the social convention. Numeracy Skills I have gathered relevant numeracy skills that are needed to perform various tasks such as using spreadsheets and calculating invoices. Moreover, attaining these numeracy skills have enabled engaging in activities such as making substantial interpretation of statistics presented in the media. Therefore, learning numeracy skills has enabled focusing on ways to deal with problems that involve numbers; thus, this has helped in improving of my life. In addition, these skills are essential for solving problems, processing information that is applied in decision-making and data interpretation. These skills has turned me into a numerate person, willing to appreciate number relationship and interpreting answers, other than just doing calculations. Therefore, these numerical skills will provide a basis of understanding other complex mathematical concepts, which are applied in quadratic equations, statistical analysis, and calculus. Presentation Skills In most instances where a computer has Ms Office suits installed, people prefer making their presentation in the Microsoft PowerPoint. However, in situations when the computer does not have Ms Office suites, and there is accessibility of internet, the only best option is to create presentation Google Docs. Presentation are made using Microsoft PowerPoint that can displayed externally or on the PC through images, video and audio, which are also embedded. Content can be added in the slides; thus, Microsoft PowerPoint interactive content is involved. I have learnt that there are different fonts and sizes for text used in the slides, and the slides can be formatted in different ways. There are no limits of slides that can be used in making a presentation and there is a space for inserting the speaker’s notes. Team-working Skills In the period that I worked with the team there were numerous things that I learnt; for instance, there were stages involved in forming the team and ensuring that it is functioning effectively and efficiently. This involved establishing of personal relations among the group members for them to be dependent on one another and to seek guidance from the group leader. The group leader is also focused on ensuring that the members had a sense of acceptance towards the group by gathering the impressions concerning their differences and similarities in terms of interests among members. There were rule in the group set in order to ensure that no controversy arose in the team. In fact, this process began with an orientation in the group for the members to be aware of the task and purpose of the group (Belbin, 2012, 64). There were discussions based upon scope of the task and way that the group was to approach its task. In this stage the team was expected to facilitate the process of implementation by conducting the orientation meeting in order for both parties to familiarize with the process. In order for the team to proceed to the next stage, members were required to relinquish their opinion concerning the possibility of risk or conflicts and their comforts in the group (Tuckman, 1996, 32). In the stage of forming the team, there were things that I learnt that can be applied at forming a business alliance. The stage can be applied to the first step of forming a business alliance is selecting team members. This is in relation to the way the leader should seek to establish the possibility of risk associated with conflicts in the group (Belbin, 2012, 64). The other stage that the team engaged in was the storming stage which involved the group members bending their feelings and ideas with attitudes in order to suit the group organization. The other stage is the norming stage that involves interpersonal relations attributed to cohesion. In this stage, I learnt that the group members should engage in active acknowledgement of the entire member’s contribution in the building, maintenance, solving various issues. During this stage the members of the group had began to have a sense of belonging to the group; in fact, this is through the effort that the members made seeking to know one another. In the group, we established a function that fostered data flow among the members in order for them to share their ideas and feelings. The other stage is performing in which the group members have a chance to evolve in terms of their range, capacity, interdependence, and personal relations. The group had the most of the productive individuals and they were highly oriented. The last stage involved the adjourning and recognition of the participation and achievement with opportunity of every member to say goodbye. Time-management Skills Time management refers to ways of regulating time in accordance with various schedules, and it is vital to a student in management of different responsibilities during their learning (Rasmussen College, 2012, 1). In fact, time is considered as one of the substantial resources; thus effective time management is a skill that is needed for making the most out of the students personal and school life. I have identified difference between superior performance and mediocre in terms of the student’s perception, thus in order to manage time appropriately they are expected to a control it. Moreover, I have learnt that in situations where a student is not controlling time, the old habits take control over it; thus, impend or limit the student’s achievements during their academic life (Study Guides and Strategies, 2011, 1). There are two substantial stages that are involved in taking control of time which include setting of objectives and abiding to the schedule, thus a student has to focus on these areas in order to control time, hence being able to manage it (Teal trust, 2002, 1). Students are recommended to use assignment deadlines and examination dates to predetermine instructions during a semester, and this will assist in creating a schedule that will facilitate achievement of goals (University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, 2012, 1). Time can be consciously managed through planning by use of three or four monthly or weekly schedules, and this should be accompanied with effective communication (Oxford Brookes University, 2012, 1). Use of software Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel Microsoft Word is on the computer as of the suits in Microsoft Office; In fact, it provides a blank space to type and allow formatting of documents using different styles like bullets and inserting tables, and they have a spell checker. On the other hand, Microsoft Excel is a program that offers services of an electronic spreadsheet that can be applied in storage, organizing, and manipulating data. Documents created on both programs can be shared among different users using the internet. I have learnt the way to create Microsoft Word documents and Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, renaming and formatting the document and spreadsheet, insert tables and sharing the document. I also learnt the ways to export uploaded Microsoft Word documents and Microsoft Excel spreadsheets to services such as Google documents. Conclusion The paper has offered a reflection regarding the way I can improve may academic performance during next year. This paper identifies and discusses skills such as communication, critical thinking, language, numeracy, presentation, team working, and time-management. Moreover, it also offers a description of the use of software such as Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. Therefore, this paper has offered a substantial reflection of my performance and the way I will apply skills discussed in order to facilitate improvement of my academic performance. References Belbin, M., 1981, Management Teams, Why they Succeed or Fail, Heinneman, London Tuckman, W., 1996, Theories and Applications of Educational Psychology, Ed.3, New York, McGraw Hill, Print Ennis, R., 1978, Taxonomy of Critical Thinking Dispositions and Abilities in Baron and Sternberg, Teaching Thinking Skills: Theory and Practice, W.H. Freeman and Company. New York. P. 9-26 Elder L., 2008, Tool for taking Charge of your Learning and your Life. Retrieved on July 7 2013 from: http://www.criticalthinking.org Meyer L., 2000, “Barriers to Meaningful Instruction for English Learners,” Theory into Practice, autumn, pp. 228-36 Rasmussen College, 2012, Time Management for Students, Retrieved on July 7 2013 from Study Guides and Strategies, 2011, Time management, Time management series, Retrieved on July 7 2013 from Teal trust, 2002, Time Management, Retrieved on July 7 2013 from Munro, J., 2012, Social-cultural influences on learning, Retrieved on July 7 2013 from < http://www.edfac.unimelb.edu.au/eldi/selage/documents/PELculturaleffects.pdf> Appendices A graph of Attempts vs Qual Mark Module Name Credit Attempt Status Mark Principles of Marketing 15 1 Failed; Retake 14 Assessment type Assessment name Weight Qual mark Due date Submitted Attempt Mark   Presentation Group Presentation 30        35      1 0     End of Module Assessment Reflective Coursework 70        35  06Dec2012    1 20     odule Name Level Credit Attempt Status Mark Financial Information 4 15 1 Incomplete 35 Assessment type Assessment name Weight Qual mark Submitted Attempt Mark   In-Class Test/Assignment In Class Test 30        35    2      Coursework Coursework 70        35    1 50     Module Name Credit Core Session Attempt Status Mark   The Role of the Manager 15 C 2012/3 1 Incomplete 30     Assessment type Assessment name Weight Qual mark Attempt Mark     End of Module Assessment In-Class Test 50        35  1 60             Module Name Level Credit Core Session Attempt Status Mark Business Context 4 30 C 2012/3 1 Incomplete 30 Assessment type Assessment name Weight Qual mark Due date Submitted Attempt Mark   Coursework In Module Coursework 60        35      1 28   Referred Coursework In Module Coursework 60        35      2 ?     Coursework End of Module Assessment 40        35      1 33   Referred Coursework End of Module Assessment 40        35      2 ?     Module Name Level Credit Core Session Attempt Status Mark Professional Competences 4 30 C 2012/3 1 Incomplete 30 Assessment type Assessment name Weight Qual mark Due date Submitted Attempt Mark   In-Class Test/Assignment In-class/on-line short test(s) 30        35 C     1 66     Presentation Group Presentation 25        35 C     1 0   Referred In-Class Test/Assignment Debate 15        35 C     1 15   Referred Personal Development Plan Personal Development Portfolio 30        35      1 ?    Read More