Unkotare
Diamond Member
- Aug 16, 2011
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So, it occurs in every class from time to time, but sometimes much more in particular classes that students will get caught up in private discussions and lose track of what they are supposed to be doing. I like to encourage pair/group work as it enables students to use the language they are learning with their peers rather than just with the teacher. It is too easy for teacher-talk to become a one-way lecture from me instead of a natural use of language as intended. I will sometimes explain an assignment or translate a word here or there in Spanish (or Portuguese or French or Chinese or what have you), but that carries the risk that students will pick up on the opportunity to speak their L1 exclusively or at least more than English, which is not what I want during the class. So, sometimes when the class is getting a little chaotic with students talking off-topic in their L1 too much I will start lecturing the class in a language none of the students speak. At first they may not notice because they are wrapped up in chit-chat about food or boyfriends/girlfriends teenager-type talk, but after a short while they start to notice and a wave of silence falls over the room. The quizzical looks on their faces are pretty amusing. Then we can get back on track.
Usually works.
Usually works.
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