TOEFL test

Test of English as a foreign language – a standardized test of English proficiency; it is widely used to measure the English-language proficiency of foreign students wishing to enter American universities

 

Topic

The subject of a text or lesson.

 

Total Physical Response (TPR)

A way of teaching in which the teacher presents language items in instructions and the learners have to do exactly what the teacher tells them, e.g. Open the window. Stand up. Over the years, language teachers have intuitively recognized the value of associating language with physical activity. James Asher (1977) developed the Total Physical Response method from this idea. In addition to evolve around that concept, the method also combines insights from children language acquisition concepts. Asher believed that the process of learning should include a lot of reading and listening before acting. He also gave importance to "right brained" learning, whereas the right brain hosts motor activity. In a TPR classroom, the students would a great deal of listening and acting. The teacher would give many directives for the students perform the acting. As Asher quoted, "The instructor is the director of a stage play in which the students are the actors." This over-directing attitude of the teacher was believed to reduce stress for the students, and therefore facilitate learning.

 

Turn, turn-taking

When someone speaks in a conversation this is called a turn. Speaking and then allowing another person to speak in reply is called ‘turn-taking’.

 

Tutor

A private teacher, esp. one who teaches an individual student or a very small group

 

Tutorial

When a teacher talks to a learner individually or to a small group of learners to discuss their learning and give feedback on their progress in class.

 

Tutoring

Any activity offering a learner guidance, counselling or supervision by an experienced and competent professional. The tutor supports the learner throughout the learning process (at school, in training centres or on the job). Comment: tutoring covers various activities: - academic subjects (to improve educational achievement); - careers (to ease the transition from school to work); - personal development (to encourage learners to make wise choices).

 

U

 

Usage

Widdowson (1978: 3) uses the term ~ to refer to ‘that aspect of performance which makes evident the extent to which the language user demonstrates his knowledge of linguistic rules’. The term contrasts with use.

Use

Widdowson (1978: 3) uses the term ~ to refer to that aspect of performance which ‘makes evident the extent to which the language user demonstrates his ability to use his knowledge of linguistic rules for effective communication’.