week 7 reading

Week 7’s focus is on oral skills. In MCM book, Brown (1994) introduced several reasons why the ESL/EFL learners have difficulty in speaking. First, he focuses on segmental level. In English speech, there are a lot of reduced forms, such as constructions, vowel reductions, and elisions. Second, he focuses on suprasegmental level. English speakers often use their unique stress, rhythm, and intonations. In addition, Lazarton, who is the author of this section, mentioned the most difficult part. It is that almost always accomplished via interaction with at least one other speaker. In other words, the learner have to monitor and understand the other speaker, think about one’s own contribution, produce that contribution, monitor its effect, and so on. The learners are not prepared for spontaneous communication and do not cope with all of its simultaneous demands. I agree with these opinions.