Learning Environment
In my English Composition classes, I attept to create a comfortable learning environment. By using humor in the classroom, and often pointing out my own mistakes, I try to ensure a comfort level for ELL studnets as well as beginning writers who are unsure of thesmselves. I incorporate peer review and journaling into the coursework, and I like to allow the students to learn from one another. Through presentations and sharing of their written work, students are encouraged to express and respect one another's diversity.
Kathleen,
Oh, agree so much with your philosophy! Personal time is the most important ingredient, however, personal time is enriched with the quality of time. It seems you have been able to blend both ingredients in your schedule. BRAVO!
Arlene Muller
I'm an English teacher and I've found the single most important factor in creating a successful learning environment for my ELL learners is to make myself as available to them as my schedule allows--I build individual conferences into my class schedule, hold lots of office hours and encourage email. Lots of one on one attention is really key to their learning process.
--Kate O'Brien
Isabel,
Excellent observation, I agree many students will hide in a group. I often change the speaker responsibility so each person has a chance to speak for the group. You can also give each student a different responsibility in the group so that it will increase the participation within the group.
Arlene Muller
I,too, can get hesitant about group work especially as the student advances in language levels.
I have found that Advanced ELL learners who are having difficulty with either Reading/Writing or Conversation,can hide behind the group activities. So I tend to do serious observations of those groups , like how Greg said, to be able to assess individually and distribute work equally.
Jennifer,
Yes, I have used that same technique to have others in the class help the speaker. I admire your determination, passion and integrity to help your students. Your students feel your passion and know you care about their success. I can tell by your writing that your students admire you for the equality you present in your classroom.
Arlene Muller
Sometimes if an ESL student tries to avoid speaking in class and acts shy, I present an opportunity for the ESL student to speak in front of the class and then utilize the others students to assist in helping that presenter along. For my classes, this has done ta few things: It forces the ESL student to recognize that they need to practice to participate; it demonstrates that no one is mad at them or thinks less of them for not speaking the language with my tone and guidance; it conveys to all that the person has really good ideas and is not stupid, just intimidated by the language barrier; and it shows the English speaking students how difficult it is for an ESL student and how it takes more time and effort to participate. Usually after this happens, the students offer to work in study groups outside the class or at least have a smoother experience when working on in-class activities because the English speakers had the chance to get to know the ESL student as a person and the ESL student gains some confidence.
Vatina,
Absolutely, the more senses you can involve in the learning process the better for ELL students to learn no matter the age. I feel lecturing is giving information and learning occurs when you teach the information. Teaching involves making sure the students understand the information using their own words.
Arlene Muller
I implement all learning styles as well as having to the students to tell me in his or own words their understanding. This is critical to ensure you are getting your message to them. Power Points, Lecutres, role playing and real life experiences always work best with ELL students. They can relate to a topic he or she may have experienced in life.
Charles,
Excellent! I am really impressed that you see yourself as a mentor. This suggests that you allow yourself to be very involved and concerned that your students are learning. Mentoring means you accept responsibility to encourage your students to reach goals and you support their learning to the next level. You stand as a member of their Fan Club!
Arlene Muller
In the vocational school that I work at, I use Lecture, Demo, observation and mentoring for my ELL students. I will then actively go from student to student to answer their questions and to re-demo if needed.
Harinder,
Yes, you are on the right track. Students at any age learn when they feel safe. When they can trust you and understand it is OK to make mistakes, the students are able to learn.
Arlene Muller
I make students comfortable by stressing and demonstrating how making a mistake is not all that detrimental but is beneficial. I show them through examples how a particular mistake can become a learning experience and can add to knowledge. Making mistakes is a normal learning process and no body should be embarrased about it - that is my emphasis in class. It has helped me create a safe, comfortable, and friendly environment. It generates more discussion and creates more empathy.
Ted, as I mentioned before you are using an excellent approach by bring visual aids and demonstrations as part of your lecture. These extra tools assist the student in understanding the entire concept which reduces the confusion in the learning process. Have you tried using soft background music to also reduce anxiety when learning?
Always,
Arlene
Ted,
Ted, your efforts are excellent by incorporating lecture with visual aids and demonstrations to improve understanding of the material. Reducing the confusion in the learning process allows the student to learn the complete concept.
Always
Arlene Muller
I like to give them a comfortable environment that focuses on a number of means to give them access to the information. Not just using lecture but also visual aids and demonstrations that can reinforce what is being discussed in the lecture. This way they can tie together what they are seeing with what they are hearing. It helps to cut down on confusion in my experience.
I have been reading research by Stephen Krashen. He states that it is crucial to have a teaching/learning environment that is low anxiety. He calls it"the optimal language learning environment". I try to do this for my students even at the adult level. I use a little music, hands-on learning and help them to feel comfortable using the language. I explain to them that it is ok to make mistakes while using the language and that we have a class environment in which they need to feel safe.
Describe the learning environment you create for your ELL students. How does that contribute to their learning?
The learning environment I create for ELL students is one of empathy and understanding. I teach communication and public speaking courses so I have a lot of ELL students that approach me at the beginning of the term that are worried about their speaking and writing skills. I assure them that my classroom is a great opportunity to practice their communication skills in a safe, supportive environment. Since culture pervades every aspect of communication, I also encourage ELL students to discuss and share their past experiences with culture to further explore concepts from the course (i.e. language patterns, nonverbal communication, conflict styles) and the integral role it has on the communication process.
Lowering their stress level through understanding of their culture and discovering their learning mode.
