Week 4 reading

As we know that language skills can be divided into 4 skills, listening, speaking, reading and writing. Recently, there is trend toward skill integration or whole language approach for more authenticity and better reinforcement.
Integration of 4 skills always reminds me of TOEFL iBT (internet Based Test). In speaking and writing section of iBT, skills are integrated. For example, in speaking section, test takers have to answer by first, reading essay, second, listening a conversation about essay between two students, and finally speaking the summary of essay and conversation. The speaking is assessed. In order to entrance MSU, I took a TOEFL iBT 3 times. It was really hard to get a good score. I am not good at taking this kind of test.
In order to train learners’ skill integration, some models of skills integration are introduced in teaching by principles by H.D.Brown. In Japan it is difficult to introduce Content-Based Instruction or Theme-based Instruction now because there is a few teachers can teach by using these methods. However, in the latter part of the chapter, Experiential Learning and the Episode Hypothesis are introduced. I think that these methods can be used in Japan. In order to use these methods in Japan, I have to study more about them.