English for Elderly? Anyone know of good material for elderly to learn English? Or, suggest some method for them to learn?
^ ermmm....try night classes...?.. watch english shows/films....chat on forums..?.. no best method....best way is to just use english all the time...so you can practise it
For those that have no knowledge of English before, but just want to learn to improve their conversation skills; watching children's shows (Sesame Street, Barney the Dinosaur, etc) are helpful because they explain the very simple words and demonstrate proper pronunciations. :biggthumpup: For those that already have a working knowledge of English, speaking with as many native English speakers as frequently as possible will polish their skills. However, for intensive immersion English because of professional need (ie. to prepare one to speak publicly or to engage foreign executives or diplomats), then only professional English tutors (who also either speak Chinese or fully understand Chinese culture and language), is advised. -smart
Very good suggestion that did not occur to me. Sesame Street and Barney would be sensible, since they do go slowly and with the explanation and demonstration should make it more easily understood. (We are starting at practically ground zero and night school is not as helpful as it should be, especially for a senior citizen). Thanks! Always knew you guys on PA were smart and resourceful.
@Xam lol, getting an elder to watch something like that will be difficult, because they will likely be bored @Noodles lol, seen that before. Thats so jokes. I think the best way to learn english is to just communicate it a lot, talk a lot to them in english, Its more fun and entertaining. Its very hard to learn off a children tv-show because theey wont know if they are sayingg it right or not
I think not, simple children shows in a foreign language generally remain intellectually engaging even for adults. Try watching a kid show in a language that you never spoke before; you'll be surprised at how much you can absorb and how fast the time passes while you watch. Try watching that same show again in a language that you already speak fluently (like English), and you're snoring after the first 30 seconds. Hence, if the show is in Chinese, the Chinese seniors would be bored out of their minds. If the show is in English, they tend to watch and learn. The first part is absolutely true, constant repetitive use of language is the best way to master it. Your second point, IMHO, is off the mark. Childrens' shows are all about repetition and rote. They say the word over and over, and encourage you to say the word over and over ad nauseam. Saying it right is not that important because the fine tuning eventually comes with usage; getting a senior to speak the words at all is already a step in the right direction. Even university students who take language courses do much the same; they repeat words that they hear, without regard to proper intonations, which eventually become more polished over time. -^_^ The saddest part of that whole video is the hatred and loathing that this "K-Dawg" has for even members of his own family. The guy obviously thinks that by clandestinely humiliating his own elders, he is so ingeniously funny that he then places the video on the net for everyone to see. Psychologically, this is akin to people who suffer from deep inferiority complexes, who engage in behavior exemplified by that of the classic 'jumping out of shadows' to scare people (allowing themselves that moment, however brief, of a sense of control over another person). The irony of this video is, it really demonstrates how badly in need of therapy this guy is. -rolleyes
