New Way To Teach Language

ee ToTeach Language (NAPSA)—Thelatest word on learning languages has as much to do with how students are taught as it does with how good an ear for language they have. Recent studies suggest that when language lessons focus on vocabulary, students can more quickly pick up a language. That idea has been applied in a number of classrooms through a new system. Students now learn vocabulary by seeing and hearing a language spoken by a native speaker. Students are then led through a proven proprietary learning process. The system also monitors student responses and constantly adjusts to focus on more challenging words or phrases. The learning tool—called Before You Know It—is used by a number of educators, including Mark Pope, a 24-year veteran teacher of German and social studies. Pope says the program helped his students who were either “middle-of-theroad” or doing poorly to improve their scores. “It’s become a foundation of learning in the chapter,” Pope says of the system. “Next yearit will be part of the core curriculum. I had seven students all failing because of vocabulary deficiencies and all of them received a B or higher.” aa What’s The Word?—New programs help language students learn vocabulary. Pope also used the system to create a list from his textbook chapters on vocabulary and post them on his Web site over his school’s server; other teachers have used the system’s Web site (www.byki.com) to create their own Web pages. In addition to helping kids learn languages, Pope expects the learning system to be used by educators who teach other subjects. “This program is great for learning dates and facts as well as foreign languages,” he says. For more information, call 1800-567-9619 or visit the Web site www.byki.com/mpope.