Summer Job

Two words on the brain…and obsolete systems

Italian structures are different from English structures e.g. to say “ I don’t go” or “I’m not going” Italian speakers, thinking in their own language, say, “I not go”. Germans say “Ich gehe nicht” (I go not) In French “Je ne vais pas” (I not go not), in Spanish “No voy” (no go) or “Uo estoy audands” (not am going).

Speakers have these structures “engraved” in their brain since early childhood. In order to modify these structures the brain must be stimulated through engaging and constructive repetition done in a caring environment.

Boring repetition with an unfriendly and unmotivated teacher produces no change (just think of how you have been taught a foreign language and how much you have learnt) It is now proved that the deeper parts of the brain which react to emotional stimuli “switch on” the outer and Rational (R) cortex.

The challenging and revolutionary aspect of ACLE’s teaching methodology (the REAL approach) is that it focuses on the constant stimulation of the Learner (L) through Emotional (E) engagement in an Affective (A) friendly environment. If you think that a 12-year-old child may have said “non vado” (not go) 10 to 20 thousand times, how many times will it take to re-organise and re-engrave “ I don’t go” or “I’m not going” in his/her memory? Another thing to remember is that we don’t have; “do”, “does”, “did”, “will”, “would” or equivalents, in the Italian language, they don’t exist!

Now think. Are you prepared to interact with the children and be able to repeat in a clear, energetic and exciting way the correct sentences throughout the camp? This is something Italian teachers don’t do, can’t do, are not prepared to do. This is what we do with fun. We speak “with” the children and not “to” the children, this is why every year more and more children and parents, and teachers think that;

1. ACLE Tutors are great!
2. ACLES REAL approach works
3. Fun, pleasure and a caring environment are essential ingredients
4. This experience lights up the interest and the curiosity
5. The old system HAS TO BE CHANGED!
6. Only motivated and inspirational teachers should be allowed to teach

This is what we want you to do at the ACLE Camps, “motivate and inspire”. You will have a great impact on our obsolete scholastic system. Because of that and your tireless efforts we, ACLE supporters throughout Italy, say “THANK YOU ACLE TUTORS”!

Is it easier to learn or unlearn?

1. This is a list of “brain engraved” structures that are difficult to unlearn and need to be relearned,
2. I have 15 years
3. I have thirst
4. Now I play
5. Yesterday I not have played tennis
6. Yesterday I not am gone at Milano
7. Michael Jackson is better of Madonna
8. The my mother not speak English
9. You must to speak slowly
10. The car of John
11. My apple is more good of your
12. Can you to go ?
13. Want you to go …..?

Sounds

With some 25 letters humans can produce some 45 sounds. Not all languages use all these sounds. The sound R is familiar to Italian and Spanish speakers but not to Chinese or Japanese people.

After adolescence the brain becomes deaf to unheard sounds and is unable to reproduce them. It takes patience and repetition “to hear” these sounds and “pronounce” them. The following sounds are difficult for Italian speakers; TH, H, English R, long vowels like “leave”, “sheep”, “sheet”, “no”, “please”, “far”, “low”, “cheese”, “you”, “wow”, “cold”, etc. Become aware of how you stress these sounds. Think of sentences or songs or games using these sounds. What English speakers find difficult is to pronounce double… eg Pavaroti instead of PavaroTTi. Italian speakers find it difficult to pronounce sheep and not ship.

Body language and funny noises

You want to tell a new friend that doesn’t speak or understand your language about a trip you recently made. You only know 5 words of this language and you can only use 5 words, and a lot of sign language and lots of emotional sounds. Try to tell him as much as you can for 3 minutes. See if you are successful. Make sure the energy in your voice doesn’t drop!

Make yourself familiar with grammar terminology

In order to become familiar with English grammar terminology, write sentences including:

• simple present
• present continuous
• simple past
• prepositions of time
• demonstrative adjectives
• saxon genitive
• future definite
• comparative with 2 elements
• superlative with 3 elements
• the past participle of “to be”

Suggested readings

A Damasio – Descarts’ Error
D Goleman – Emotional Intelligence
H Gardner – Multiple Intelligences

These books explain the reasons/grounds on which we base ACLE humanistic student centered teaching approach.