Inhibition to Second Language Learners

The biggest challenge for me throughout the first practicum session was trying to make
the pupils talk confidently and having them to not be afraid of making mistakes in learning the
target language. As Brown (1994) noted, language learning implies a great deal of self-
exposure as it necessarily involves making mistakes. Significantly, the learners have to learn
that mistakes are part of their learning and take it as a form of encouragement from the
teachers to improve themselves. This essay will discuss on the existence of a personality trait;
inhibition to Second language learners that happened during my first practicum session.

The definition of inhibition based on the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary is an

inability to act naturally, especially because of a lack of confidence. Not only that, it is also
a feeling of embarrassment or worry that prevents you from saying or doing what you want.
Learners with low self-esteem and low self-confidence are believed to display more inhibition,
leading to the building of defences and alienation from the target culture, as they are less able
to tolerate threats to their existence. In other words, the process of second language learning
is also considered as threats to the learners. From my previous practicum, a few of the pupils
clearly displayed such characteristics when participating in classroom activities.

These characteristics were clearly shown during my listening and speaking lesson.
Whereby, most of it involves them to act out a role-play and act out a dialogue with their
friends. When I called out volunteers to act out a role-play between The Red Riding Hood and
the wolf, none of them willing to volunteer resulting me picking the pairs. When they did the
role-play, they were hesitating acting out the dialogue while facing their friends because they
were afraid of their friends judging their performance. As a result, they look forced doing the
activity and just simply reading the dialogue to get it done quickly.

The stumbling blocks that causes inhibition in class are the negative learning environment
occurs in the classroom. A large amount of a child’s time is spent sitting in a school classroom.
The classroom is where they will gain an understanding of their place in the world and the gifts
that they have to offer it. We know that learners with low self-esteem and low self-confidence
are believed to display more inhibition. Knowing this, I would make necessary changes on my
teaching strategies in class. I believed that the strategies a language teacher use have a big
impact on language learning.
REFERENCE

Inhibition. (n.d). In Dictionary.Cambridge.org. Retrieved April 18, 2018, from

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/inhibition