English as a Second Language
ESL: The Concept of Immersion In ESL immersion has been subject to some controversy. On the onehand it is felt that immersion is a good way to force learners into theintricacies of the new language. In a school context immersion meansteaching the entire school curriculum by means of the second language. Theprogram was initiated in Canada to help English speakers with theirproficiency in French, the other official language of the country. Theprogram has been adopted in various forms in the United States as well.Apart from English, immersion programs are available in French, German,Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese (ERIC 1995). Proponents of the program have researched the various ways in whichimmersion can most effectively be accomplished. Content appears to play acentral role in creating a favorable environment for the immersion program. Content should be integrated in the instruction process, and should followa systematic approach along with language instruction. The immersion program operates from the assumption that absoluteproficiency in a language is not a requirement for effective instruction
The immersion program uses all aspects to propel ESLinstruction. Instead specific academic knowledge is the aim. Children who are initially immersed in thetarget language classroom, argue the opponents, will struggle to understandboth the language and the content. Individuals are allowed a choice oflearning activity, and these have proved to accomplish high levels oflanguage acquisition (ERIC 1995). By using Second Language English as a medium of instruction, thefocus is removed from language instruction, and thus the language itself. Particularly opposed is the apparent belief of immersionproponents that the quantity of language exposure will automaticallyincrease the quantity of English learned. ording to this assumption, giving students apurpose for the new language they are using, they learn the language fasterand more easily. According to the other side, the native language need not be necessary atall. The premise is that if important or interestinginformation is conveyed by means of the target language, a basis isestablished for learning. Furthermore, many aspects of human development are included in animmersion language program. It does not appear that academic achievementsuffers for using a second language in an immersion program as opposed toschools where the first language is used. It is thusproposed that instead lessons should be made more meaningful by addingnative-language instruction, especially during the beginning years ofschool. Instead theyalso do so in the other classes in school. It is therefore apparent thatstudents do not experience much difficulty in attaining sufficient languageskills to master the subjects they are required to learn through thelanguage (ERIC 1995).
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Acceptance Essays
