Sunday, 9 June 2019

Unit 5 Theories into practice




There are five theories that I have incorporated in some capacity in my teaching. I definitely have an eclectic approach and feel that is best for students-as they don't all learn and respond to the same teaching methodology. There does need to be some continuity for lessons or activities though so that students don't see this as a bunch of random teaching methods with no connections.
I have included some links to videos that demonstrate or explain the methods.




Community Language Learning: 

No man or woman is an island. We need to be able to provide support and strength to our fellow learners. I think one of the biggest bonuses of this approach is that there is always an opportunity for students to demonstrate their talents/knowledge, each one becoming an expert at one point. So many of our students have been respected professionals in their home countries, they come to Canada and begin again from the bottom. By building a community and allowing the students to direct the flow of the learning we are respecting their input and giving them some control on their language acquisition.

 

Community language learning-explanation

 

Direct Method

I think there is a lot of validity to this approach. There are many components of our first language acquisition that can be applied to our L2. The idea of using everyday vocabulary and not correcting every error makes learning the language more meaningful and enjoyable which means the student will be a more effective learner.

 

Direct method-definition

 

Suggestopedia: 

I have to admit I thought at first this idea was way out there. Then I saw it in action with the teacher and it intrigued me. I have long known the importance music can play in lowering the anxiety in a classroom, as well as the calm voice and aesthetically pleasing environment-all factors that create a safe learning environment. However, I have never put everything together as it is suggested in this method. I wouldn't use this approach all the time but I'd like to see its impact in the classroom. A word of caution with this, there was a post by a teacher who was removed from her teaching position for using this method, you might want to check with your administrator before using this approach.

 

Sample suggestopedia class

Baroque music to study by 

 

Task Based Language Teaching: 

I think anytime students can work towards an authentic task they are more engaged in the learning. They take control of their learning, identifying their language needs as they complete the task. My observation is that students rely less on the teacher, when completing the task, to guide the learning than they do on fellow students. They tend to ask their classmates questions and only seek out the teacher when clarification is needed.

    

Task based language teaching demonstration


 

Total Physical Response: 

Students seem to really enjoy this opportunity to move around and explore their learning in a multi-modality approach. Thinking and doing at the same time is harder than one would think. I heard an actress explain once that she had to do a role as a research doctor. She first learned her lines but then learned her lines doing the actions, it was a different process. I like the idea of acting out some of the vocabulary and phrases students need to learn. Doing is definitely learning. This youtube video gives an excellent example of TPR storytelling, I can see myself using this strategy.

 

  TPR storytelling 







Resources:


American English. (1990). Language Teaching Methods.

Brown, D. & Lee, H. (2015). Teaching by principles: An interactive approach to language pedagogy (4th ed. revised).

Chong, C.S. (2012). A Trip Down the Memory Lane of Methodology.






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