ENGAGING STUDENTS IN INTERACTIVE LANGUAGE ACTIVITIESYES Alumni Webinar, November 21, 2013Dr. Carolin FuchsAmanda LoyHallie Bodey

AGENDA•INTRODUCTION: Goal, objectives (10 min) •SAMPLE ACTIVITIES: 4 skills, grammar, vocabulary,

pronunciation (15 min)•RESOURCES (5 min)•QUESTION & ANSWER (10 min)

GOAL•Providing essential tips and tools for conducting introductory English language classes in your community.

OBJECTIVES1. To understand the importance of interactive

language teaching through a short lecture.2. To learn how to engage students in activities by

analyzing samples. 3. To effectively search for materials by exploring a

number of online sources.

THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF INTERACTIVE LANGUAGE TEACHINGThe advantages of teaching language interactively (vs. other methods):

1. Provides more language practice for learners through meaningful interactions and real-world contexts.

2. Helps students focus on their language learning process and progress through reflective activities.

3. Encourages student collaboration and interaction, which helps students learn from one another and have more fun.

4. Combines language fluency and accuracy.5. Focuses on all components of communicative competence by

integrating grammar and the 4 skills- listening, speaking, reading, writing.

Brainstorming QuestionIn the chat, brainstorm a list of characteristics for how you see your role as language teacher and how you view the role of the learner.

Time limit: 1 min.

ENGAGING STUDENTS: Teacher Role•Involve everyone •Peer teaching•Facilitate •Be the “sage on the stage” but the “guide on the side”

•Remember: “Pedagogy first, curriculum second, computers last” when it comes to using technology.

DO DON’T•Lecture: Learners need to engage with one another in order to learn the language

•Over-correct errors•Give answers immediately

•Do the work for students•Sit quietly •Inhibit•Use technology unless it adds value to your lesson

ENGAGING STUDENTS: Student RoleDO•Actively interact with peers

•Demonstrate willingness to communicate

•Negotiate meaning in the target language

•Go out and “get” the language

•Take risks•Ask questions•Take on ownership of your own learning (learner autonomy)

DON’T•Sit quietly•Expect a lecture about the language

•Expect teacher to correct every single error

•Expect teacher to use technology unless it adds value to the class

•Expect the teacher to “help” if you don’t ask

SAMPLE ACTIVITIES (in combination with technology)

Please refer to the Word documents as we walk you through:Ice Breakers:Pair Interview (2-6 students)Find Someone Who…(larger class, 7+ student)Activities:Pronunciation: BingoSpeaking: Think-Pair-ShareListening: Fill-in-the-blank with songsReading: Unscramble paragraphs (online generator link)Writing: Chain Writing (stories, poems)Grammar/Vocabulary: Word/Phrase of the Day

Think-Pair-Share Reflection Question:What are your 2 favorite activities that we’ve introduced and why?

1. Think individually (1 min.)2. [Pair (2 min.)]3. Share with class (5 min.)

(For more information on instructions for Think-Pair-Share, please see Word document.)

FINAL THOUGHTS FOR MAKING ACTIVITIES MORE INTERACTIVE...

As you can see from the sample activities, any activity can be made interactive – keep in mind the following:

•Pair students up with one handout only•Students have to answer their own questions in order to learn

•“Ask each other before me.”

RESOURCES•Please refer to shared Word Document “Useful Online Resources Webinar.”

Q&A