One particular language-related skill is of paramount importance in developing superior speaking and writing proficiency as well as in critical and creative thinking.

Marvin McGregor, regional manager of a nationwide computer store, is faced with the task to recommend the best location for a new store.

In this column, specific attention has mainly been given to critical and creative thinking during the past weeks.

Creativity is essential in the realm of critical thinking, especially in solving problems innovatively,
effectively, and in ways that produce positive differences and a competitive edge.

The key to critical thinking is to adopt a concept or factor mapping approach to present, to connect, and to separate details.

To be convincing, competent and confident in the presentation of the results of critical thought, one needs to develop and master a “tool box” of special but practical diagnostic, analytical and evaluation skills.

While the terminology can vary, it is generally agreed by experts in the Critical Thinking School that there are six core skills that one needs to master.

Developing critical, creative and productive thinking (CCPT) skills requires an attitudinal shift. It necessitates the courage and willingness to challenge pre-conceived opinions.

In today’s information-intensive world, a valuable personal skill to master is the ability to think critically.

The Round Robin Response is a listening and speaking activity that involves students taking turns to respond briefly (i.e. in one or two sentences) about an unknown or surprise subject immediately it is made known to them by a previous speaker.

Learning should be enjoyable, challenging, and independent.

Learners achieve faster when the school is able to enter into an active, effective, partnering relationship with parents, carers, immediate and extended family members as well as community identities.

Regularly read and tell stories to your children. Share the joy of reading with them. Use expression to emphasize the characters, their roles, their emotions, their feelings, their accents.

The 4S Accelerated English Program (4S-AEP), using the Preparation Primer (PP), makes Early Childhood Education teaching a much easier task.

Being highly skilled in the art of teaching requires an long-term commitment on the part of the teacher to constantly review strategies, techniques and tools.

Being aware of different learning styles: auditory, visual, kinesthetic.

Learning is a life-long process that varies in its intensity depending on personal motivation, opportunity, expectations of others, the need to know and their financial and scholastic capacity.

Create an English language – learning environment in the classroom.

One of the greatest challenges English teachers and tutors have when starting to teach illiterate mature students and adults - who lack self esteem and confidence because of their limited literacy and language skills - is to convince them that they can learn to read, spell and write well like anyone else.

One of the greatest challenges English teachers and tutors have when starting to teach illiterate mature students and adults - who lack self esteem and confidence because of their limited literacy and language skills - is to convince them that they can learn to read, spell and write well like anyone else.

Adult learners can be different from others.

In last week’s English Is Power column, the frightening global problem of adult Illiteracy was highlighted.

According to international literacy organization ProLiteracy Worldwide, the United Nations (UN) estimated a decade ago that there were over 860 million illiterate adults in the world. Over 570 million were women.

It is widely accepted by educationalists and linguists that many children, both primary English speakers and those for whom English is an additional language (EAL), begin formal schooling with a language deficiency.

While common characteristics prevail in most learning situations, special factors can significantly influence the acquisition of the oracy and literacy skills of reading, listening, viewing and writing, speaking and interpreting by those for whom English is an additional language (EAL).

To be able to teach accurate English pronunciation to learners for whom English is their second language, teachers and tutors require a detailed knowledge of how sounds are made so they can demonstrate and explain the various vowel and consonant sounds.

While a few pronunciation and spelling problems can arise when a regular symbol combination sends different sound signals, e.g. “ear” with its four sounds, the real challenge is to cope with those situations where different symbols produce the same sound, e.g. wh-o - y-ou; kn-ee - k-ey; au-th-or - w-ar-n; st-ea-k - ei-ght - a-te; sew - plat-eau - th-ough.

Knowing how to convert to sounds to symbol combinations is a key to spelling.

Throughout the English Is Power columns over recent months, the primary objective has been to give the many Manila Bulletin readers and others in the education system, a much better understanding of the English language.  Week by week, the somewhat unique characteristics of English have been explained and its special attributes have been highlighted.

The challenge of silent symbols

A characteristic of the English language that causes major spelling problems is the presence of “Silent Symbols.’’ Tens of thousands of words have at least one symbol (letter) that is not sounded when pronounced.  

To be a superior writer, one has to be proficient at spelling and grammar. To assist Manila Bulletin readers to enhance their personal grammar skills, a free copy of “150 Helpful Hints for Grammar’’ is available by emailing the 4S Help Desk at contact@4Slisteracy.com.au.