Episode 010: Don't Box Them In

Click here to listen to The Minimal Pair: Episode 010Show Notes: The Minimal Pair Title: Don't Box Them InEpisode no: 010Date: Recorded on 5/30/14Topics in Language LearningIntroverts/Passive LearningSources: “Passive Learners vs. Introverts—A comment,” by Naomi Epstein (from the blog Visualizing Ideas) #ELTChat Summary from May 7th 2014—“How we deal with passive learners,” compiled by Lizzie PinardTalking points from both sources and our experiences:Distinction between “introverts” and “passive learners”Introverts didn’t raise their hands, but were clearly listening; rather than conforming to the expected learning behavior, they adapt their own Passive learners seem completely disengaged from the lesson; often don’t know what’s going on, when things are due, and how to complete assignmentsMotivationStudents who have to be there vs. students who want to be thereAge and life experience as factors in student beahviorAvoiding labels, targeting the problem“Introvert” and “passive” are not mutually exclusiveNot important to argue over definitions or positive & negative connotations of eachMore important to focus on the behaviors inherent to both/all kinds of learners and how to make space for them in the classroomOur tips:IntrovertsVariety of activities (i.e. speaking vs. writing)Take it slow (build up to oral participation & give them time to think before responding)Partner work (gives them a space to build confidence)Passive LearnersMeeting them where they are (trying to get them to see it from their perspective)Academic contractFrequent conferencesHow our tips support distinguishing between the two,……but don’t “box them in!”[24:30]MethodologyJournalingWhatInformal assessmentHomework/in-classWhoAcademic English studentsListening & pronunciation studentsGrammar?WhyReading comprehensionSummarizing, paraphrasing, & plagiarismVocabulary buildingDescription, Analysis, Self-reflectionReal world participation incentiveProgress monitoringWhen & Where At home vs. in classBefore reading vs. afterTesting situationsExtra creditHowSide-by-sideQuote-paraphrase-reflectVocabularyListening comp.Group workSTAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) journalsDaily reflections[45:20]Culturally speaking…Cross-cultural communication Source: DFA Intercultural Global Solutions, LLC http://dfaintercultural.com/top-10-tips-for-communicating-with-anyone-in-the-world/ What are Dean Foster’s tips and how do we use them in the classroom?Take your time – Ask the other speaker to slow down – Keep it simple – Don’t be afraid to ask for help – Avoid baseball English – Skip the acronyms – Don’t ask yes/no questions – Get rid of double negatives – Talk to more than one person – Start formal – Pay attention to the non-verbal – Be respectful, be interested, & be humble SHOUT OUTS: #ELTchat and everyone who participated in the conversation, especially Naomi Epstein and Lizzie Pinard)YOU our listeners! Thanks!Adjunct Action!Keep it minimal!