Working with Language: A journey with language learner Heather Mallick

As Heather Mallick says, “Language and your life are often strangers, confused.” For 19 years, this teacher has worked to change this, co-founding the Language Language Learning Center (LLLC), an online facility that teaches English as a Second Language. “Unconsciously,” she writes in her new book, Working with Language, “people have been mixing up what one person means and what they intend.”

After an experience similar to Eliza Thornhill, Mallick decided to start working directly with her students to figure out why and how it happened.

“Some words get mixed up for fear or others,” Mallick says. “It’s kind of like talking about a breaking up…you’re thinking about things two ways.” She explains that students don’t perceive “a word” the same way anyone else does. “In my position I’m teaching English as a second language, but if you don’t know how the language works, you’re just not going to get along.”

In addition to teaching students how to communicate, Mallick teaches life skills and getting along, making her students uncomfortable at times in order to improve the language acquisition process. “I don’t teach for the masses,” she says. “I only teach the language learners.”

Mallick also focuses on concrete learning and the concept of making sure the students are teaching other students about what they’re learning. “We’re all going to understand words differently,” she explains. The center has a mentoring and peer tutoring program that helps to create dialogue between students who are on different learning levels and can potentially interact in the future.

And when they make mistakes or forget to try the word another way, Mallick wants them to feel empowered. Mallick asks them if they would remember the process next time if it was given to them in English as a second language first. “The world is full of mistakes and we all make them,” she explains.

But what about the students who are fluent, but struggle to pick up words? Mallick says that these are the ones they encourage to be more comfortable and confident using the language. Often times, Mallick makes students feel comfortable and confident as they experiment with the language, helping them figure out what they should say.

Working with Language should be on your reading list.

Read more:

Heather Mallick: Confused about language? I have the write word for you

Working with Language: A journey with language learner Heather Mallick

Working with Language: A journey with language learner Heather Mallick

Working with Language: A journey with language learner Heather Mallick

Working with Language: A journey with language learner Heather Mallick

Working with Language: A journey with language learner Heather Mallick

Heather Mallick: Confused about language? I have the write word for you

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