Simple Questions about English Learning
The way non-native students learn English is very different from learning overseas. This difference in learning and teaching English cause problems both for teachers and non-native students. One of the problems is that non-native students ask some questions which are realy simple and obvious for native English teachers. I know these kinds of questions might make teachers sad because every year they hear the same questions over and over from thousands of students, which is of course boring for them. But, I have to say that asking simple questions are not resolved for English learners.
I remember that I learned English since I was twelve years old in Elementary school. We most study vocabulary, grammar and reading as part of English curriculum. We did not have speaking, listening and writing section. Our teachers did not even talk in English. Some of whom were more interested in their jobs can speak English. But, their speaking were even different from native English teachers. They spoke with accent and they were not aware of pronunciation techniques. At that time, there was no internet in Iran so that they can read or learn about these kinds of techniques. They even had difficulty in speaking. They could speak on simple subjects and if teachers would like to explain more in English, they would not speak fluently and as a result, they explain it in Mother Tongue language , persian.
I had been learning English by this way for six years; only reading passages, learning vocabularies and knowing grammar. But, I was really interested in learning English because I first learned English from my father. He explained me passionately and his passion affected me to read more and more about English. My father and most of my close relatives know English or French so we always watch and listen to English or French movies and songs. This environment and my interest cause me to watch and read in English more. But, this was not very common at that time. All interested students or students who wanted to achieve a good job, they registered in English Private schools which was somehow expensive and crowded. Signing up in these schools was not popular and recognized as a luxury hobby. Most students went to English schools in summer times as a leisure time activity. These schools had long story as well. They were more attractive in money rather than learning English properly. The English methods they used was old and non-practical. They of course show some movies in English and assinged some writings but there was time-wasting. students had to enroll every semester every year for five or six straight years until they can learn English, which there was not a guarantee if students learn or not.
When I am thinking about the past time, I can understand why non-native students ask simple question which is really easy to answer for native teachers. .English learners do actually not know how they can improve English because of their bad habits. Our educational system was wrong. Our teachers could not teach us good habits because of many reasons. I do not blame my teachers but I am trying to say that students are trying to learn English and asking simple questions help them to know if they are in the right track or not.