The JBK EFL Methodology
Today with about one-quarter of the world studying English, people have high expectations for effective methodology to learn it. JBK English uses a combination of the Communicative Approach, Independent Language Learning (ILL), and the European Language Portfolio (ELP) Approach for our teaching.
We use a number of different speaking activities such as role playing, interviewing, information gap, debates, and round tables for conversation practice. The lessons are supported by a selective study of the basic skills including grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation.
To determine course textbooks, the students are given several choices where possible. Also, as indicated in the ‘JBK Course Descriptions’ on this website, initial, ongoing, and final assessments are the norm, and our assessments use the ‘Common European Framework of Reference for Languages’ (CEFR) international standards.
For business professionals improving their oral command of English, we generally spend about two-thirds of the time on conversation and about one-third on the basics. We individualize significantly, with about half of the conversation activities being related to our students careers and the others to the text. For homework, aside from texts, we use of movies, music, newspapers, magazines and television.
Examples of business conversation topics range from clients’ requests to ‘sales and marketing from a manager’s perspective’. Types of communication range from using the telephone and doing presentations to playing different roles in meetings.
For novice students, the procedure is similar, but we spend a more time on the basics with a workplace text. The conversation topics and activities are also primarily related to the students’ jobs. Topics for conversation might include entertainment, travel and events in the news. We also like to develop topics suggested by our students into roleplays.
Independent Language Learning (ILL)
As working adults don’t have a lot of time to attend classes, teaching them how to be autonomous learners is also one of our objectives. To do this we introduce them to independent language learning (ILL) basics through the European Language Portfolio (ELP) Approach. In ILL you work with your own chosen study team of friends, family, and possibly a partner from an Internet learning community.
ILL is useful for both studying a foreign language autonomously and taking courses. When studying independently, they master their CEFR learning objectives through their preferred materials and study strategies. When taking a course, they use ILL strategies and materials as extra support. In some cases students can improve their rate of learning using ILL by 15-25%.
Also, if persons aren’t taking an English course and must prepare for an upcoming business event on their own, they will be better able to do so using ILL strategies, as it’s difficult to find a course that teaches just what you need and in the time that you need it!
We hope to see you in some of our courses!
(To learn more about ILL, the CEFR, the ELP, and self assessments, please see the page on this site entitled ‘A Short History of ILL’.)