teaching in immersion programs: what do teachers need to know and be able to do ?

Teaching in Immersion Programs: What do teachers need to know

and be able to do?

Myriam Metmyriammet@gmail.com

Core Strategies

InputChecks for ComprehensionOutput/InteractionEngagement

Comprehensible Input

1. Visual cuesMatching sound with

meaning (visuals, modeling)Body language/gesturesHands-on experiencesManipulatives

Comprehensible Input

2. ContextStories Advance Organizers Background knowledge

Stories as Input

Making Input Comprehensible

3. LanguageCaregiver speechRepetition and

predictabilityRoutines Chants, songs, and

fingerplaysParaphrase, Definition,

Explanation

Multiple encounters with new language in meaningful

contextsWhat does “multiple encounters with

new language in meaningful contexts” mean?

Why are multiple encounters important?

What do you do in your classroom to ensure that students have “multiple encounters with new language in meaningful contexts”?

Check for Comprehension

Limited Response

Visual and non-verbal feedback

Yes/no (true/false; thumbs up/thumbs down; physical response)

Act out

Make my sentence true; do as I sayEither/orFill in the blank

Output/Interaction

Importance of pair and group work (vs. interaction with the teacher)

'testing the waters' Engaging in verbal interaction vs.

Non-verbal play or workGetting more input through

interaction

In your classroom …Who gets the most output

practice? Who gets the least?

How many oral output opportunities does the average student get in your class?

In your classroom …What strategies do you use

to give students oral output opportunities?

For grades 2-3: How do you plan differently for student output to lead to longer, sustained oral production?

ENGAGEMENT

“You can’t drill anything into a sponge. You have to make the sponge soak up the information.”

ENGAGEMENTI do

We do

You Do

ENGAGEMENT

Some strategies:Student to Student InteractionsStudents tell partner before the teacherWhite boards, reply cardsPhysical actions

In every lesson, I …Am

understandable and only speak the target language

Check for comprehension

Provide multiple encounters in meaningful contexts for new language

Ensure student output/interaction

In every lesson, IThink about

student engagement (what will THEY be doing?)

Gradually move students to independence

Consider the pacing of the lesson (how long activities last)

Consider sequencing (in what order …)

Assess learning