So ladies and gentlemen.
What suggestions would you give to teachers.
As individuals who have gone through the learning process what do you think your teachers could have done to make your experience better,more informative and more enjoyable.
As Teachers/Professors/Lecturers what tips would you give to your fellow teachers.
Re: Teachers
I would say vary your instruction. The textbook is a tool, but it's not the only resource. Lecturing to your students (aka direct instruction) is a mode of instruction....but not the only one. Students have different styles of learning. While sitting in the chair and listening to a lecture might work for the audio and visual learners....it may become tiresome for students who learn better through socialization (such as group work), etc.
If you're learning...let's say...about the Civil War/World War II.....don't just rely upon the text book and video. Bring in a powerful novel (even better if it's non-fiction)...and read aloud to them. If you can get a class set of novels...that's even better...that enriches the learning.
Have a sense of humor. Allow them to be creative.
Re: Teachers
I use pictures and ask them to tell what could have been happening in the pic.
Then we use presentations and worksheets.
But there is something missing.
I use pictures and ask them to tell what could have been happening in the pic. Then we use presentations and worksheets. But there is something missing.
What grade do you teach (I'm guessing primary grades)? Also, if you tell me what subject this is...it would give me a better idea of other possible applicable activities.
Re: Teachers
My Students age ranges from 8 - 45 yrs redvelvet.
I teach English as a Foreign Language to arabs.
Sometimes Grammar but mostly Conversation.
My Students age ranges from 8 - 45 yrs redvelvet. I teach English as a Foreign Language to arabs. Sometimes Grammar but mostly Conversation.
It's said that the best way to pick up a language is to immerse yourself in it. Don't only limit yourself to worksheets. Read loud to your students. Read alouds are considered to be very powerful in not only developing language skills....but also develop critical thinking and reasoning abilities.
Read aloud picture books to them...you're never too old for a picture book. Not only will this build their vocabulary....but they get to hear what proper spoken language sounds like. When you read with expression....pause at the periods...they pick up on that. You're modeling spoken language for them.
As an assignment.....haven them do what's called a "Retelling." This is where they "tell" a story through the use of props. Their props can be pictures or puppets. You might allow them to use note cards to help them remember the story.........BUT............they're not allowed to read from the book. They're basically telling the story to the audience. So, they'll have to USE the language. It's a fun activity....common in language arts. I have my Masters in Reading....and I had to do a retelling....theyr'e fun. You can even count it as a project grade. BUT.........MODEL it for them first so they get an idea.
Re: Teachers
You can also try role playing.
Assign the students different roles........perhaps a situation. And have the students work in pair or in groups to write a script for their roles........and then they act it out. So, they're using language skills.....and they learn from one another in their groups through socialization.
Re: Teachers
We do role playing and listening activities but re telling is new to me.
for your valuable input.
Re: Teachers
Redvelvet has some great ideas.
There are some good ideas in Alistair Smith's accelerated learning ideas which help with memory.
show your students some news clips ask the to talk about it. Take a piece of writing and cut up into sentences, shuffle them, ask students to put back in a story. sequencing helps with understanding paragraph structure.
use ideas to develop vocabulary such as a word of the day and the students then have to come up with many different words which mean the same thing and use a rapid fire starters by asking them to use words in a sentence. plays lots of games such as on countdown as short starters. give silly prizes to get a bit of fun.
most important thing is there hear lots of language and are forced to use it.
National strategies website will have some useful resources for those learning english as an additional language - it is for primary/secondary school kids but some of the resources ought to be relevant.
hope this helps
Re: Teachers
For a little more verbal mode you could do short skits, maybe of greetings, or about casual daily encounters. I remember my Spanish 1 teacher made us do this, and this was the only time things that I learned stuck in my mind.
If they are worried about their confidence level in front of the entire class, pair them off and make them do it in pairs in front of you. That way it can be a 2-way thing, and they can develop some sense of conversation along with learning the vocabulary.