Best Practices in Developing both Social and Academic English

Jenielyn Verba Aquino

The importance of learning and mastering the English language is undeniable. When equipped with fluent English speaking skills, students’ success in achieving their life goals is much higher. However, aside from mastering the language itself, social skills is also essential when using the language.

With this in mind, teachers need to employ some techniques that would help develop students’ social and academic English skills. These techniques include encouraging students to read various materials, assisting students in translating academic to social language and helping students widen their vocabulary, while at the same time, teaching them how to properly communicate their thoughts.

To effectively master the English language, students need to develop several habits including reading a variety of materials and topics that could help widen their vocabulary and improve their comprehension skills. Thus, the teacher need to present various options for reading. This will help students find topics that best suit their taste.

As students develop a habit of reading, the teacher need to continue assisting them in translating words and phrase that are unfamiliar to them.

But beyond learning the English language, properly communicating their thoughts in various social events is equally important.

While teaching the academic aspect of the English language, teachers also need to instill good interpersonal skills to students while using the language. One of the best ways is to help them convey their thoughts with the appropriate tone of voice, volume and choice of words. In this way, students can communicate in English in a polite and respectful manner.

Learning the English language is not confined in developing vocabulary and improving skills alone, but is coupled with properly using the language in different social situations.

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The author is English Teacher I at San Isidro National High School-San Luis