PAIRWORK PAIRWORK &&

GROUPWORK GROUPWORK IN THEIN THE

COMMUNICATIVE CLASSROOMCOMMUNICATIVE CLASSROOM

PAIRWORK PAIRWORK &&

GROUPWORK GROUPWORK IN THEIN THE

COMMUNICATIVE CLASSROOMCOMMUNICATIVE CLASSROOM

REASONS:

1) IT MOTIVATES STUDENTS TO WORK FACE TO FACE ENCOUNTERS IN THE CLASSROOM

Students are much more interested in these speaking activities that resemble real-world communication because they are more meaningful for them. As teachers, we should always include them in our lessons; for example, we can give them games, quizzes or any information-gap activity so that learners have the need to express themselves. Of course there are ways of practising speaking that do not involve dividing a class into groups, but they are not as engaging as a pair or group-work activity.

2) IT INCREASES OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRACTISING THE LANGUAGE.

Students have more chances to practise the foreign language in this case because there are a few students working in a speaking activity. This is the only tool we have when we teach large courses as we can make sure that they all participate in the task.

3) IT GIVES STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MONITOR HOW WELL THEY UNDERSTAND AND ARE UNDERSTOOD.

By interacting with their classmates, learners get to know how they are doing in communicating. It is also a good idea to mix our students so that each time they can interact with someone new. This will bring them more opportunities to learn other words and strategies to express what they want to say.

OTHER REASONS:

• It helps the building of understanding.When students are discussing with their peers, they feel more confident in the activities and they can also help each other in their learning.

• When we do these activities we are giving our students more freedom and this contributes to our learner-centred lessons as they are the ones who are in charge of the activity.

POSSIBLE DISADVANTAGES:

• The teacher might not see whether all students are participating or using the correct strutures.

• Shy learners may feel a bit frustrated when working in this way but teachers should provide a relaxing atmosphere so that they feel more confident.

CONDITIONS FOR THE SUCCESSFUL USE OF THESE ACTIVITIES IN THE CLASSROOM

- Students will feel free to speak if there is a pleasant learning

environment.- A variety of different communicative activities will also help their success because learners become more motivated when they are faced to new challenges.