Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Thanks
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- I Creating a good environment for language learning
- II Being effective in the classroom
- III Teaching large classes
- IV Teaching language skills and systems
- V Teaching language without textbooks
- VI Teaching language with textbooks
- VII Helping students achieve their potential
- VIII Linking the school to the outside world
- IX Supporting yourself and others
- Glossary
- Index
4 - Making your teaching student-focused
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 September 2021
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Thanks
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- I Creating a good environment for language learning
- II Being effective in the classroom
- III Teaching large classes
- IV Teaching language skills and systems
- V Teaching language without textbooks
- VI Teaching language with textbooks
- VII Helping students achieve their potential
- VIII Linking the school to the outside world
- IX Supporting yourself and others
- Glossary
- Index
Summary
Traditional education ignores or suppresses learner responsibility.
J. Scott ArmstrongThe short version
1 In challenging circumstances, the most common teaching approach is ‘chalk and talk’ or ‘sit and listen’, where the students are generally passive.
2 There are several social, cultural and political reasons for this; however, it is a wasted opportunity not to actively build on students’ energy and curiosity.
3 Students are not blank slates. They have rich knowledge and experiences, which can add considerable value to the classroom.
4 Whilst group work enables students to work together in interesting, effective ways, it has to be done well to be successful.
5 It's important to see your students not just as a ‘class’, but as a collection of individuals, who have their own personalities, issues and challenges.
Introduction
1 Which of the models below best describes your teaching?
• teacher speaking at the front of the class
• students working in groups with the teacher monitoring
• a combination of these two models
2 Would you describe your teaching as student-focused? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the students being more active in your classroom?
What are the challenges in making your teaching student-focused?
In challenging circumstances, a ‘▸listen and sit’ or ‘▸chalk and talk’ methodology is often used in the classroom. That is, the teacher monopolizes the classroom interactions by lecturing the class and using the board as the main teaching aid. The students sit and listen silently except when being called on to answer questions or to repeat in chorus. Not only were teachers often taught in this way themselves, they may also have been trained like this. As such, it feels natural and appropriate. Furthermore, students are also familiar with this approach, and it is often expected by parents as well as by management, who see it as the ‘normal’ and ‘correct’ way of teaching.
Many teachers, especially those who lack experience or confidence, feel more secure when they can control what is happening, and when they have the ‘safety’ of the textbook in their hands. They may worry that allowing students to work together, or giving them more responsibility, could result in chaos. These feelings are likely to be even stronger if they have large class sizes, or if they face classroom management issues.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Teaching in Challenging Circumstances , pp. 27 - 32Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2021