J-S
Journal
a notebook where learners can practise free writing and receive regular feedback from teachers
Kinaesthetic learners
people who learn best though physical response; these learners have difficulty sitting for long periods of time
L1
First (primary or native) language
L2
Second language
Meta skill
those skills that allow learners to acquire other skills
e.g. good listening skills help learners to increase vocabulary
MEXT - Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology: MEXT is the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, a Japanese government organization.
Moo A MOO (Multi-User-Domain Object Oriented) can be described as a type of on-line computer game where users can build their own environment and communicate with other 'players'.
Needs assessment
a process in which teachers determine the needs and abilities of the learners in their class in order to plan a program appropriately; usually takes place at the beginning of a course
Observed teaching practice
(also called "practicum")
part of a teacher training program that involves getting practice in a real classroom and receiving feedback from an experienced teacher; usually a required number of hours
Onomatopoeia
a word that sounds like the sound word it represents
e.g. "buzz"
Open ended question
a question that requires more than a yes/no answer (or multiple choice selection) and requires the learner to use his/her own words
e.g. "How do you feel about the class?"
PPP
stands for "presentation, practice, production"; the main components to a lesson
Practicum, also called "observed teaching"
part of a teacher training program that involves getting practice in a real classroom and receiving feedback from an experienced teacher; usually a required number of hours
Pragmatics
the study of language and how people speak in a certain context or situation
Process approach
a method for teaching writing that walks learners through the strategies of pre-writing, writing and revision stages
Product approach
a method for teaching writing in which learners are given a model and then asked to create something similar
Pull-out ESL
a program where students are removed from a regular classroom for part of the day to receive English language instruction
Rate of acquisition
how quickly the learner acquires the second language
Realia
objects from the real world that learners can use while practising the language to make a classroom feel more like a real life setting
Recruiting agency (also called "placement agency")
a business that acts as a middle man between the teacher and the school; schools pay recruiters to find teachers
Recycling
a teaching method in which teachers (or materials) review vocabulary or skills that have already been taught by including them in subsequent lessons
Scaffolding
offering strong instructional support when introducing a new concept or idea; including a discussion based on prior knowledge of a subject and offering images or other visual aids
Self access materials/centres(SAC)
resources or resource rooms where learners can choose their own books, handouts and audio visual programs to supplement their learning
Sight vocabulary
words that are commonly used in text and are the first ones that learners spot and recognize when developing reading skills
Skim
to glance over a piece of text without reading fully
Slip
a minor language mistake in spoken English (by a native speaker or advanced learner)
Sociolinguistic competence
the ability to use and understand the appropriate language in different social situations
Standard English (S.E.)
the "normal" spelling, pronunciation and grammar that is used by educated native speakers
STT
Student Talking Time; the amount of time during class when learners get to do the talking (see TTT)
Student feedback
reaction or evaluation from learners (directed towards other learners or the teacher)
Surface learning
when a learner memorizes facts and accepts information for the purpose of an exam; long-term retention and understanding is unlikely (see "deep learning")