To wear the basic force

Beginning from vocabulary and grammar

Compared to children, when adults learn English, there are three steps:
  • In step 1, they should learn vocabulary and grammar, which are the framework for studying language.
  • In step 2, listening and reading.
  • In step 3, speaking and writing.
In the second language acquisition theory, only input makes output possible. In short, you cannot say what you cannot comprehend and you cannot write what you cannot read. Likewise, without certain amount of vocabulary building and grammar comprehension, you would find it hard to listen or read.
However, as it is almost impossible to measure how much study is necessary to ‘complete’ steps 2 and 3, you should study all the four skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) at the same time. All the WLC classes are set up for students to be able to do so.

Basic 3,000 words

What is necessary for students to gain the basic skills ?  Students in the A/Basic level are advised to review vocabulary and grammar that are taught in junior high and high school. Precisely speaking, they would need the most frequently used 3,000 words, which are used in an English-English dictionary for definitions. They are the first words students should aim to understand.

Focus on one textbook (vocabulary building)

When choosing material, students should get one that contains not only glossary and translation but also a CD reading the script.
The material enables students to take the following steps, to improve their comprehension more efficiently:
  1. Read aloud the page you are working on.
  2. Do dictation, closing the text and playing the CD. Repeat the same sentence until you can understand 70-80% of the content.
  3. Do shadowing as a review. Students should try various ways, such as listening to, reading, or writing the target words or sentences, to build up vocabulary and/or grammatical structure.
Using the audio-visual material like a CD, helps students practice vocabulary, grammar, listening, and speaking simultaneously. Students who are not confident about grammar use are recommended to review the materials you used when you were high school students.