Who I am as a learner? (Miriam Orón)

          It is true that not everybody acquire language at the same time, each person does it in a different way and that is a sign of learning. Some students are better in reading skills, whereas others could be better at the listening part. Personally, I have been studying during my whole life, so it is time to ask myself ''Who am I as a learner?'', taking into account that I am a student of three languages, which are Spanish, Valencian and English and I am in constant contact with them.

            Firstly, I am going to talk about my mother tongue, Spanish. It is a language which I have acquired when I born, in fact I did not realise that I have learnt it. It is a natural process. While I was growing I was using this language, for example with my family, my school, my friends. I received output, because I was surrounded by the speech and I was listening it all the time.

            Regarding Valencian, I started learning it at school. I only received knowledge through workbooks and dictation. When I finished my compulsory studies I wanted to take some level exams, so I had to prepare on my own. I did not have problems with the writing skills, whereas the speaking one was harder for me, due to the lack of practise during my school years. 

            At the same time I was acquiring the first language, I started to learn English. Thanks to that fact, now that I have decided that I want to become an English teacher I can know which techniques will be work better with the students, because I have already been in this place. For instance, I remember that when I really learnt was the moment we were playing or we were working in groups.  It is important to teach theory, but then through games they can assimilate everything better. Besides, not everybody has the same strong points. In my case, I can't be reading during a lot of time because I lose my attention, so maybe my listening or speaking are my best points. So, there are several tools to train them, such as media or interaction with people.

            To sum up, as I have said before the fact that I am a learner would helped me in my future with my students. It is important to know that the language acquisition takes time, specially foreign language. In addition, being motivated would be essential for your learning process. We need to have a good basis from our first language for learning the second one, and the interlanguage  will be constantly changing.

                                                                        Miriam Orón.