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Foreign Language ExperienceLearning a foreign language is very useful. Aside from the obvious reasons, such as to enhance your résumé, knowledge of a foreign language or experience learning a foreign language is beneficial to TESOL teachers (Teaching english to Speakers of Other Languages). TESOL teachers who have studied a foreign language are able to empathize with their students, make necessary changes to facilitate student learning and to address errors. In addition, foreign language experience provides TESOL teachers with increased cultural awareness and the ability to further their career. TESOL students study english as a foreign language. For those teachers who know a foreign language or who have studied a foreign language they are familiar with what it is like and how much work is involved. These instructors are able to empathize with their students and to understand the difficulties they may be experiencing. Because they will be able to recognize and understand what their students may be experiencing they will be able to make necessary adjustments. For instance, TESOL teachers with foreign language experience will be able to adjust their lessons in order to facilitate student learning. They could draw upon their language learning experience(s) and incorporate activities that were beneficial to them as language students. Additionally, they may be able to recognize the need to present material differently so it is easier for students to understand. The ability to adjust lessons in order to facilitate student learning is not the only advantage TESOL teachers with language learning experience have. TESOL teachers who have studied multiple languages will be aware of different linguistic structures. This will allow them to understand why their students make many grammatical errors. Additionally, they would be able to address these issues more effectively than teachers without previous foreign language experience. In addition to understanding how different languages function, foreign language experience also provides cultural knowledge and understanding. Foreign language students not only learn about the language, but they also learn about the culture. Knowledge of different cultures is invaluable to TESOL teachers because their students inevitably will come from a variety of different backgrounds. Those with extensive cultural knowledge will be able to meet and to understand their student?s cultural needs. This also facilitates learning as students will feel more comfortable in class. Cultural understanding and awareness is also beneficial to TESOL instructors wishing to further their career by earning an MA TESOL (Master Arts Teaching english Speakers Other Languages). Many MA TESOL programs require applicants to have studied a foreign language in the past. Applicants with foreign language experience are more likely to gain admission into an MA TESOL program. I have had multiple experiences as a foreign language student. As a volunteer ESL (english as a Second Language) teacher my knowledge of foreign languages and experiences learning languages has served as an asset. I have found that I am able to empathize with my students and to make cultural adjustments when necessary. My foreign language experiences in combination with a tesol certificate will assist me in becoming a better teacher.
