How Harvard's FST Has Been Benefiting Friends from 120 Countries Globally in Oral Communication Practice
When learning a new language, we all hope to be able to use it fluently in real-life situations. The FST efficient learning method is designed to achieve this goal. FST stands for Function, Situation, and Topic, and these are the three key aspects we need to focus on when learning English.
First, let's focus on Function. Function refers to the purpose or meaning of vocabulary or phrases in the language. For example, requesting repetition is a function. When you are in a conversation with someone and didn't hear what they said, you might say, "Sorry, could you repeat that?" Here, "Sorry, could you repeat that?" is a functional phrase used to request repetition. Other common functions include expressing gratitude (Thank you), asking for directions (Excuse me, where is the nearest subway station?), and apologizing (I'm sorry for being late).
Secondly, let's look at Situation. Situation refers to the specific environment or context in which we find ourselves in daily life. Each situation has its own appropriate language usage. For instance, in an airport situation, you might use English expressions related to boarding, checking luggage, and buying tickets. In a bank situation, you would use English related to conducting transactions and checking accounts. By understanding common expressions in different situations, we can use English more confidently.
Next, let's focus on Topic. Topic refers to the specific content of our discussions during communication. Different topics require different vocabulary and ways of expression. For example, if we are discussing "travel," under this topic, we may talk about travel destinations, travel plans, and tourist attractions. If the topic is "environmental pollution," we might discuss air quality, waste disposal, and environmental issues. By accumulating relevant vocabulary and sentences for specific topics, we can engage in meaningful conversations more effectively.
Let's illustrate the application of the FST learning method with a complete example:
Suppose your functional goal is to learn how to express gratitude. In terms of situation, you think about practical scenarios in daily life, such as shopping in a store. For the topic, you choose "shopping."
- Function: Expressing gratitude
- Situation: Shopping in a store
- Topic: Shopping
Now, let's combine these elements to construct a complete English sentence. When you are shopping in a store, and the salesperson has provided you with excellent service, you might say, "Thank you for your help!" In this sentence, we express gratitude for the salesperson's assistance, applying it in the context of shopping.
Through such practice and thought, we can use English more naturally in the learning process. By continuously expanding our knowledge of functions, situations, and topics, we can become more proficient in using English, reaching a higher level of language proficiency.
Therefore, the FST efficient learning method helps us integrate our knowledge of English into real-life situations, making learning more meaningful, effective, and enjoyable. As long as we keep practicing and applying our skills, our spoken English ability will continually improve, making us more confident and fluent in actual communication.
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