Skip to main content

TESL 0100: Unit 5 My Classroom


My Classroom

Designing a classroom takes a lot of consideration with how we also create our lesson plans.  Considering all students English level is just one factor as to how the classroom will effectively function to cater all learning needs and abilities.  Being able to assess students’ needs and knowing their learning levels and techniques will help us identify a group that will work effectively together and those who are individual learners.   

            Audiovisual Learners need an Independent Listening Lab. A Listening Lab is a computer space with headphones, laptop or even CD player where they can learn independently and improve their listening skills. They should be given a set of listening list and exercises that they can complete on their own pace based on their comprehension level. Student may be given activities from ESL Cyber Listening Lab [1]or ESL Lounge[2].       

            Silent Space can be set up with a couch and carpet with pillows for comfortable reading space.  This area is a Mini Library or can be called a Literacy Center.  Students can choose books they prefer to read or we can give them reading list to complete with corresponding exercises based on English proficiency.  There is a good online reading resource [3]that students can do independently at home. An independent reading log is also a good way to track students’ level of reading competency. One of elementary practices that I like is the Daily 5[4]. ESL students can also adapt this practice with a partner and do a “read to someone” to practice reading out loud and correct pronunciation. Silent reading is one way to spend their free time. They can choose to read to self, read to someone, listen to reading, do word work or work on writing. I also like the idea of having extra grammar worksheets in this area.  This will give students the liberty of learning something new on their own or review topics that they have completed.          

            The Round Table in the classroom can function as a group work place or a teacher come and go workplace.   Students may come to ask questions and feel free to do one on one coaching time with the teacher.  The teacher may also ask each student to come to the table for assessment or guided learning.  This is one way of helping student address their individual needs and see their progress at the same time.  
            An effective classroom environment doesn’t have to be fancy.  To have the freedom of learning independently and a feel of wellbeing without pressure is the best learning environment we can provide especially to adult learners.  Once students are used to doing daily routines, it will eventually give them the independence and choices or their learning style and practices.  We can always guide but the best guide we can do is to observe their habits and coach them to become more effective in their learning styles.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why Teach Grammar?

It is a surprise that Joseph Webbe’s attitude to grammar as early as 1622 mentioned the holistic approach to learning language as he quoted, “No man can run speedily to the mark of language that is shackled… with grammar precepts. By exercise of reading, writing, and speaking… all things belonging to Grammar, will without labour, and whether we will or no, thrust themselves upon us.” Surprisingly, English grammar is still taught in other countries using the “Rule of Law” transmission view as I experienced. Though I believe it is essential but lacks the speaking part to complete the holistic process of learning. ( Thornbury: How to Teach Grammar ; Chapter 2, pg. 17) Learning a second-language must be experiential (the knowledge-how argument). Speaking and writing practices are essential to express grammar learning. It is saddening that learners of a second-language are limiting themselves in speaking outside the classroom and practise the use of language at home. Learning must not b
Post a Comment
Read more

TESL 0100 - Unit 4: How Language are Learned Opinion to Statements

How Language are Learned 1.       Languages are learned mainly through imitation. §   Indeed, languages are learned mainly through imitation.   The Principle of Automaticity explains how children learn foreign languages when they are living in the cultural and linguistic environment of the language.    It is also a fact that we all learned our first language through imitation.   Our parents thought us how to speak by asking us to imitate them. We all started as imitators before we subconsciously learned all words by listening and being in the environment of that language. Second language learners are also the same.   In my country, most kids learn English by watching English cartoons; mimic them through singing and understanding the conversation by answering questions through the audio-video activities. Imitation I should say is the first step and the best way to learn a language.       2.       Parents usually correct young children when they make grammatical err
Post a Comment
Read more

TESL 110: Unit 1- Why Teach Grammar?

  Grammar is the basic foundation of proper communication.  It becomes a major challenge to converse or write without this foundation. Grammar helps learners to be more proficient and confident in using their language in all aspects of communication, speaking, and writing and more so to enjoy listening and reading.                   Teachers do struggle too, “And that’s because, as I and other language experts have pointed out, they themselves were never taught much, if any, grammar. And appropriate teaching support and materials are lacking.” quoted from the 'grammar-still-matters'.                Though it is my professional responsibility to learn grammar for teaching purposes, it is beyond my present skill to be called an expert. It takes years to master grammar and knowing it all at the top of your head will require years of being in an environment where grammar is tested on a daily basis. This is impossible to do when you are basically teaching the fundamentals. I don’t
Post a Comment
Read more