A Successful A Successful Language Learner: Language Learner: Prof. Agnes HuangProf. Agnes Huang

Joyce Zhang Joyce Zhang 張敬雯 張敬雯 95313039531303

Summer Jiang Summer Jiang 蔣彩雲 蔣彩雲 95313599531359

Nicholas Kao Nicholas Kao 高偉翔 高偉翔 95313639531363

Lisa Chen Lisa Chen 陳俞秀 陳俞秀 95313739531373

Sharon Shen Sharon Shen 沈昱蓉 沈昱蓉 95313759531375

IntroductionIntroduction

Who is Professor Who is Professor Agnes HuangAgnes Huang

Professor Agnes HuangProfessor Agnes Huang

The instructor in NKFUSTThe instructor in NKFUST

National Taiwan UniversityNational Taiwan University

University of Virginia (Educational Technology)University of Virginia (Educational Technology)

University of Texas at Austin University of Texas at Austin

(Applied Linguistics)(Applied Linguistics)

WhyWhy we chose her we chose her

Professor Agnes Huang has a lot of Professor Agnes Huang has a lot of experience in learning English.experience in learning English.

Professor Agnes Huang is good at Professor Agnes Huang is good at English.English.

What makes Professor Agnes Huang What makes Professor Agnes Huang a successful foreign learner.a successful foreign learner.

Data Collection Data Collection MethodsMethods

E-mailE-mail

On-line surveyOn-line survey

Face to face interviewFace to face interview

Interview recordInterview record

Analysis of learner Analysis of learner characteristicscharacteristics

age of acquisition age of acquisition attitude attitude motivation motivation personality personality learner preference learner preference learner beliefslearner beliefs

Professor Huang began to learn English Professor Huang began to learn English

in twelve years old in junior high school.in twelve years old in junior high school.

AgeAge ofof acquisitionacquisition

PersonalityPersonality

introvert introvert

Patience and Diligent Patience and Diligent

confidence confidence

Tolerance of ambiguityTolerance of ambiguity high tolerance of ambiguityhigh tolerance of ambiguity

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

1) Comprehension is more important2) Memorizing grammar rules or phrases

without thinking of the reasons.

She may feel confused with the grammar.

AttitudeAttitude She didn’t have interested in English at junior She didn’t have interested in English at junior

high school.high school.

Feel interested after getting good grades. Feel interested after getting good grades.

Professor Huang has a positive attitude Professor Huang has a positive attitude toward English learning.toward English learning.

MotivationMotivation Extrinsic FactorsExtrinsic Factors

Intrinsic FactorsIntrinsic Factors

1) Correct her pronunciation.2) Reading for Ph.D. degree

1) English is a beautiful language.2) Language is the tool to bridge a between

her and the world.

LearnerLearner PreferencePreference

1)1) She likes to listen to Studio She likes to listen to Studio Classroom. Classroom.

2) She likes to read English magazines 2) She likes to read English magazines

such as Time Express and Reader’s such as Time Express and Reader’s Digest.Digest.

LearnerLearner BeliefsBeliefs

1) Reading is the best way to improve 1) Reading is the best way to improve one’s reading and writing skills.one’s reading and writing skills.

2) Environment is an important factor for 2) Environment is an important factor for one’s listening and speaking skills.one’s listening and speaking skills.

Learning Learning ConditionsConditions

Learning process in Learning process in junior high schooljunior high school

Traditional teaching styleTraditional teaching style

No listening & speaking classNo listening & speaking class

Studio classroomStudio classroom

Learning process in Learning process in high schoolhigh school

Writing classWriting class

GrammarGrammar

No listening & speaking classNo listening & speaking class

Studio classroomStudio classroom

Learning process in Learning process in universityuniversity

ReadingReading

No listening & speaking classNo listening & speaking class

Studio classroomStudio classroom

Learning process in Learning process in getting master degreegetting master degree

SpeakingSpeaking

Study in U.S.Study in U.S.

Learning process in Learning process in getting PhDgetting PhD

Many Chinese studentsMany Chinese students

Lack chance to speak EnglishLack chance to speak English

Survey AnalysisSurvey Analysis

Survey 1.Survey 1. Visual / Nonverbal 30Visual / Nonverbal 30

Visual / Verbal 30Visual / Verbal 30

Auditory 18Auditory 18

Kinesthetic 20Kinesthetic 20

Written language / picture / design formatWritten language / picture / design format

Survey 2.Survey 2.

Sensing and sequential dimensionsSensing and sequential dimensions

Information connects to the real worldInformation connects to the real world

Survey 3.Survey 3.

48 scores on left brain48 scores on left brain

16 scores on right brain16 scores on right brain

Logical and analytical thoughtLogical and analytical thought

Discussion and Discussion and AnalysisAnalysis

Behaviorism Behaviorism

and and

Interactionist positionInteractionist position

BehaviorismBehaviorism ImitationImitation - Write down usage phrases form outside r- Write down usage phrases form outside r

eading books.eading books. For example: “No__is complete without a vFor example: “No__is complete without a v

isit to__.”isit to__.”

““No No trip to L.Atrip to L.A would be complete without a would be complete without a visit to visit to the Getty Centerthe Getty Center.” .”

BehaviorismBehaviorism PracticePractice

-For listening --- Studio Classroom -For listening --- Studio Classroom

-For reading --- Time and Reader’s Digest-For reading --- Time and Reader’s Digest

-For writing --- School and Good grammar -For writing --- School and Good grammar

BehaviorismBehaviorism ReinforcementReinforcement

- her husband --- ask for advices- her husband --- ask for advices

- her native-speaker friends - her native-speaker friends

--- pointed out her mistakes--- pointed out her mistakes

BehaviorismBehaviorism Habit formationHabit formation

Formed a good habit of Formed a good habit of reading reading (Time and (Time and Reader’s digest) and Reader’s digest) and listeninglistening (Studio (Studio classroom) constantly.classroom) constantly.

Language learning is considered as a Language learning is considered as a habit habit formationformation..

Interactionist Position:Interactionist Position: VygotskVygotsky’s Sociocultural Theoryy’s Sociocultural Theory

Language development takes place in the Language development takes place in the social interactions between individuals.social interactions between individuals.

A learner is capable to learn in the A learner is capable to learn in the zone of zone of proximal developmentproximal development when there is when there is support from interaction with a more support from interaction with a more advanced interlocutor.advanced interlocutor.

ConclusionConclusion

Personality – traditional but not being afraidPersonality – traditional but not being afraid

Motivation – strong motivation with clear goalMotivation – strong motivation with clear goal

Attitude – positive attitude and try her bestAttitude – positive attitude and try her best

Learning Method - read read readLearning Method - read read read

SuggestionSuggestion

Don’t give up learning grammar!Don’t give up learning grammar!

Keep reading!Keep reading!

Be sensitive to inputs!Be sensitive to inputs!

Find and solve your questions!Find and solve your questions!

Don’t think you are good enough!Don’t think you are good enough!

Thank you for Thank you for

your attention!your attention!