Unit 1: English teaching today: what do I need to know?

Question 1

What’s an acquisition?

Answer 1

An acquisition is the process of gaining something.

Question 2

What’s a methodology?

Answer 2

A methodology is the “how” of doing something.

Question 3

What’s a fluctuation?

Answer 3

A fluctuation is the irregular variation in something.

Question 4

What does lexical relate to?

Answer 4

Lexical relates to words and their meanings.

Question 5

What does phonological relate to?

Answer 5

Phonological relates to the sounds of speech.

Question 6

What’s a discourse a fancy word for?

Answer 6

A discourse is a fancy word for a conversation.

Question 7

What’s e.g.?

Answer 7

E.g. is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase “exempli gratia”, which means “for example”.

Question 8

What does unsimplified mean?

Answer 8

Unsimplified means something has remained in its original form.

Question 9

What does incidental mean?

Answer 9

Incidental means something that happens by chance.

Question 10

What’s an abbreviation?

Answer 10

An abbreviation is a shorter form of a word or phrase, often consisting of a few letters, used to represent the complete word or phrase.

Question 11

What does legible mean?

Answer 11

Legible means that something’s clear and easy to read.

Question 12

What does foreseeable mean?

Answer 12

Foreseeable means something that can be anticipated because it’s likely to happen.

Question 13

What’s orthographical?

Answer 13

Orthographical is the conventional system of spelling and writing a language.

Question 14

What does a fortnight refer to?

Answer 14

A fortnight refers to a time period of two weeks.

Question 15

What’s a cosmopolitan thing characterised by?

Answer 15

A cosmopolitan thing is characterised by a broad and global influence.

Question 16

What’s pp.?

Answer 16

Pp. is an abbreviation for “pages” in the context of referencing or citing specific page numbers in a text. For example, “pp. 20-25” means “pages 20 through 25”.

Question 17

What does to cite mean?

Answer 17

To cite means to mention a source to support the information you’re presenting.

Question 18

What does with hindsight mean?

Answer 18

With hindsight means to look back on something and realise what you should’ve done differently or understanding it better now that it’s in the past.

Question 19

What’s arithmetic?

Answer 19

Arithmetic is the basic branch of mathematics that deals with numbers and how their operations relate to each other.

Question 20

How’s on the contrary used?

Answer 20

On the contrary is used to introduce an opposing idea, indicating that the following statement goes against the previous one.

Question 21

What does intuitive mean?

Answer 21

Intuitive means understandning something without the need for conscious reasoning; like a gut feeling.

Question 22

What’s explicit?

Answer 22

Explicit is something that’s clearly stated, leaving no room for confusion.

Question 23

What’s implicit?

Answer 23

Implicit is something that’s understood without being directly stated.

Question 24

What’s audio-lingualism?

Answer 24

Audio-lingualism is a language teaching method that emphasises repetitive listening and speaking exercises.

Question 25

What does PPP stand for and what is it?

Answer 25

PPP stands for presentation, practice and production. It’s a teaching method where the teacher first presents new language concepts, then guides students through practice exercises and finally encourages them to independently produce and use the language.

Question 26

Describe the Berlitz language schools.

Answer 26

The Berlitz language schools were named after their founder, Maximilian Berlitz, who developed institutions that offer language education which emphasises conversation-based learning.

Question 27

What does it mean to learn by heart?

Answer 27

To learn by heart means to memorise something thoroughly, often using repetition. The phrase reflects the idea of internalising information in a way that it becomes a part of your thoughts, as if stored in your heart or core.

Question 28

What does the conveying of meanings involve?

Answer 28

The conveying of meanings involves expressing and sharing ideas in a way that others can interpret as intended.

Question 29

What’s an acronym?

Answer 29

An acronym is a word formed from the initial letters or parts of a longer phrase.

Question 30

What’s a Language Management System (LMS)?

Answer 30

A Language Management System (LMS) is a software that helps organise and control various aspects of language, such as translation and terminology.

Question 31

What does integrative mean?

Answer 31

Integrative means combining different ideas into a unified whole to enhance understanding.

Question 32

What does extrinsic refer to?

Answer 32

Extrinsic refers to external factors that come from outside of a situation.

Question 33

What does intrinsic mean?

Answer 33

Intrinsic means something that’s
inherently part of a situation.

Question 34

What does inherently mean?

Answer 34

Inherently means something’s an essential or natural characteristic of a person, thing or situation.

Question 35

What’s a vernacular a synonym for?

Answer 35

A vernacular is a synonym for a language.

Question 36

What’s prevalent a synonym for?

Answer 36

Prevalent is a synonym for dominant.

Question 37

Who’re adolescents?

Answer 37

Adolescents are individuals in the age range of approximately 10 to 19 years old. This period is often associated with puberty and the transitional phase between childhood and adulthood.

Question 38

What does extensive mean?

Answer 38

Extensive means covering a large area, often involving a wide variety of something.

Question 39

What does leisure-time refer to?

Answer 39

Leisure-time refers to the free time that individuals have outside of their obligations, which they can use for relaxation, hobbies or recreation.

Question 40

What does recreation refer to?

Answer 40

Recreation refers to activities people engage in for enjoyment, such as sports, arts and crafts or gaming.

Question 41

What does tactfully mean?

Answer 41

Tactfully means handling a situation with sensitivity and consideration for others’ feelings and opinions.