I do not understand why David thinks the fact that he was a teacher is somehow an indication that he has "done his bit" to help others. We can argue that some jobs are more useful than others, but most jobs provide a service that is valued enough by others to justify a wage. Al jobs are altruistic in that sense. Most people do feel a sense of satisfaction from doing their job, but they also expect to get paid, usual y more than they are getting. So, unless he was a volunteer, David was just doing his job.
Education is not, therefore, free. It can, however, become much less expensive, and much more general y available. There are tremendous resources available at low cost or free of charge. There are all kinds of people who are happy to volunteer their knowledge and skill s.
Learners need to be shown what they can do on their own, rather than waiting for a teacher to teach them. Volunteers and resources need to be mobilized to be more readily available to learners. The Internet can be an agent for a revolution in education, making it more generally available at a lower cost, although not necessarily free. That is the role that I see for LingQ.
Education will always require professionals, and others who for profit and for personal gain, although not only for those reason, will devote themselves to helping others learn, while earning a living themselves. So education cannot be total y free.
We would not expect to get milk from the farmer free of charge, nor shoes from the shoemaker. Why would education be different? But we can make it less expensive.
Dr. Pepper has a number of objections to my proposed LingQ based language class proposal. I believe the good doctor's views are important because they faithful y reflect orthodox language teaching pedagogy.,
It is worthwhile going through her main points because they are so representative of an approach that I believe is not efficient or effective and not fun for the learner. It is, however, satisfying for the teacher because it puts the teacher in charge. I prefer to see the learner in charge, hence LingQ.
1) "Listening to audio in class is a waste of time unless you are gauging comprehension."
To me, if I am listening or reading in a new language, I do not want to report to a teacher on my comprehension. It will gradual y get better, at my pace.
2) Listening is best ―in a study group where each student can help each other out with comprehension difficulties"
I do not agree. I just want to listen, and listen again if I want, or go on to other things if I want. I do not want to discuss my listening, neither in the target language, nor in a common language, with other learners.
3) Listening - ―It’s all gibberish unless you have some base knowledge"
Yes, that is why you need to read the content you are listening to, and look up words using LingQ. If you are starting from scratch you can listen to a short episode and read the text in your own language, while listening. We offer this for beginners at LingQ. Then you can listen in the target language while reading along. Eventual y you can listen without reading.
4) "What makes unknown content comprehensive are things like body language, promemics, miming and so on"
These things can help but cannot always be provided in a classroom. So sound and text are pretty effective. A lot of content has nothing to do with body language etc.
5) "Reading in LinqQ seems to be essential y a grammar-translation method"
No. It is reading, and saving words for review, and listening to the same content for reinforcement without worrying about whether you can translate the text or not. No translation, no comprehension tests.
6) "It seems like a bit of a waste of class time to do new reading in class for the first time"
No. Reading in class is a great use of the class time, and the teacher is available to answer questions. Usual y the learner will have listened first, and if the text is too difficult, will have read it in their own language first. One lesson that all learners have to learn is that many things remain unclear for a long time. if they cannot accept they will have difficulty. The teacher hopeful y can explain this basic concept to the learners.
7) The classroom time should be ―to do work in class to get the passage translated and share it with classmates"
No. No translation and no sharing for reasons already explained.
8) "As far as creating and reviewing LingQs, this is the same as writing down words you don't know and creating flash cards"
No. At LingQ this process is made much easier, faster, convenient and therefore efficient. Every word or phrase that is looked up is an instant flash card, and these are emailed on a spaced repetition basis to the learner. They can be tagged, reviewed in many different ways. Each word that is saved automatically captures phrases with that word in it, and subsequently appears highlighted in yellow, with the meaning, as a mental trigger.
9) "I would add listening comprehension exercises with peers through conversational exercises."
No. The teacher can discuss an article or episode, but we do not quiz people on their comprehension. Learners can ask questions but their comprehension is their own affair. No exercises, just discussion.
LingQ is an efficient language learning platform, and language learning community consisting of people from all over the world, helping each other learn languages. Of all the systems available on the internet LingQ takes the best advantage of the power of the internet as a language learning environment.
First of all you do not have to buy anything, nor install anything on your computer. You just register and start using it. Your own personal learning database is maintained for you on the web.
Second, LingQ is designed to make input based learning as efficient as it can be. It offers rich and diverse learning content, in audio and text, from all over the cyber world. Then it applies a range of unique learning functions to help learners notice and get used to the words phrases and patterns of the language of their choice, without drills, and complicated rules to learn.
Third, LingQ is a true Web 2.0 community. Members help each other learn, just by the mere fact of learning themselves. They can also tutor each other and correct each other’s writing if they want.
To real y understand it you have to come and check it out. I look forward to meeting you at LingQ.