Learn Modern Method of Teaching!

Modern Teaching Method

The traditional "chalk and talk" method of teaching that persists for hundreds of years is now acquiring inferior results when compared with more modern and revolutionary teaching methods that are available for use in educational institutions today. In classrooms at present greater student interaction is encouraged, the boundaries of teacher's authority are being broken down and a focus of enjoyment is emphasised.

When teaching, teachers are concerned with giving learners access to information and helping learners master various skills. Traditionally, teachers have lectured as a way of teaching. In fact, lecture has been the most widely used method of teaching. In a lecture, a teacher discusses information and learners take notes. Instructors who use creative teaching methods employ non-traditional and non-lecture-style strategies to help learners gain skills and access information. As a teacher, it is necessary to be able to teach and remain engaged in the teaching and learning process. It puts a greater level of responsibility on creating lesson plans that truly work. As English teachers, we are almost always on the lookout for new and interesting ways to stimulate our language learners. It was ELT author and researcher Stephen D. Krashen who gave us his 'Affective Filter' hypothesis of second or foreign language acquisition. His hypothesis states that conditions which promote low anxiety levels in class allow improved learning on the part of students. When learners enjoy class activities their Affective Filter is low and they learn more. New and different activities "out of the norm" also lower learner affective filters.

Here are some 'not-so-commonly-used' techniques partially suggested by Prof Larry M. Lynch, an ELT teacher trainer at University of Valle, Cali, Colombia, for adding that new twist to your English or foreign language classes. Giving learners something new does wonders in relieving boredom, spiking interest and lowering the Affective Filter of learners on whom you may have tried everything.

1. Using an iPod

Do your learners carry iPods or cellular phones? Don't curse and use bad language at them for using technology in their lives. Turn it to your advantage! A number of good websites now exist that can get you and your learners up and running using this latest technology for language learning and practice. Here are useful websites for more information you can use through iPod:

* Internet TESLJournal:www.iteslj.org/links/ESL/Listening/Podcasts/

* Morning Stories: www.wgbh.org/schedules/program-info? Program id=143912

* Podcasting: Audio on the Internet comes of age: www-writing.berkeley. edu/TESL-EJ/ej36/int.html

*Podcast Pickle: www.podcastpickle.com

2. Let Mr Bean help you

Mr Bean (Rowan Atkinson) is a well known comic character of English movie. You all know him and love his humorous twists on daily living. So don't just sit there nodding, grab a CD or download episodes and try a few out on your learners. Let them do the talking. They can offer suggestions, write to Mr Bean and his other characters, express opinions and do comparisons of his world vs. their own. By the way, is he really an alien? Follow his antics, get video clips, program guides and more at:

* www.rowanatkinson.org/mr_bean.htm

* www.dsv.su.se/~matsbjo/bean/bean.html

3. Ask Walt Disney for advice

The name Walt Disney is directly connected with the world of entertainment. A renowned animator, film producer, director, screenwriter and entertainer Walt Disney was well known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Although I am old enough to remember his presence and passing, Walt Disney can still make us laugh, smile, cry and cheer with the antics of scores of his characters and their families. Take some short clips from his animated stories. Change the situation. Alter the characters. Modify an ending or a beginning to cause a whole different outlook on age-old themes. Are your stories and characters better? As long as they are different, stimulating and generate interest or discussion, that is all that matters. Everyone, even you, as a teacher, will have a great time coming up with new twists on these classic themes. Try it! Visit Disney online here:

* www.disney.go.com/home/today/index. html

* www.justdisney.com/walt_disney/

4. Letting learners create lesson materials

Turnabout is fair play, or so they say. Take a day to switch roles. Have you ever let your learners take a class? How about planning a fun class? Having a hot conversation on a topic that they want to talk about - music, movies, cute girls/handsome boys, sports, techno-babble? Nothing is taboo - well almost nothing, anyway! What do you think they will talk about? You would be surprised!

5. Create a newspaper

Teachers can have students research a topic and create a newspaper with headlines and articles based on this topic. The newspaper that students create can contain historically accurate events, images and references. For example, when teaching the history of English language, teachers can break students into groups with various roles, such as illustrator, photographer, writer and editor. Then, the teachers would concentrate on the accuracy of the facts and references. As this is an English class, teachers would concentrate on the correctness of the writing convention been taught.

6. Join a club

Let us all go to the Conversation Club. If you don't have one then start one - every Thursday from 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm or whatever time, day and duration may suit you and your learners. The key is to give them the majority of control, or at least as much as possible. Use props, use realia, use pictures, music or whatever you and your learners may have on hand to start, stop and sustain the activities. Other clubs you could join include:

* Pronunciation clubs

* Reading clubs

* Movie clubs

* Acting Clubs

Use your and your learners' imaginations. The sky is the limit - or maybe the administration's sky is the limit. But no matter, just try something new for starters. Try out some of these not-so-commonly-used techniques for adding that 'new twist' to your English or foreign language classes. শিক্ষা সংক্রান্ত খবরাখবর নিয়মিত পেতে রেজিস্ট্রেশন করুন অথবা Log In করুন।

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