HOW TO GET THE STUDENTS TALK IN ENGLISH? As an English teacher, it is important to prepare the students in order to make them capable of communicating in English. Therefore, they need to learn how to communicate orally as well as writing. In this essay I am going to focus on some useful and interesting strategies that can help and support the students in their development of the speaking and listening skills in English as a foreign language. First of all, I would like to begin with this quotation: It is not an exaggeration to suggest that classroom talk determines whether or not children learn, and their ultimate feelings of self-worth as students. Talk is how education happens! (Gibbons, 2002). Therefore, it is probable that students will learn English easily if they can talk and use their speaking and listening skills in the English class. For this reason, it is essential that the teacher offers opportunities to use the English in class since it can also help the students developing more self-confidence and better connections with their classmates. According to The practical guide for Ontario educators, the English language learners are more likely to participate orally when they are supported by the teacher and their peers. Therefore, in order to create a supportive environment in classroom for English learners, there are some aspects to bear in mind. Firstly, it is important to keep in mind the students’ needs and their zone of proximal development when preparing, addressing and explaining the class and the tasks. The teacher should give positive feedback on their improvements and efforts, without focusing on the negative aspects and mistakes. Furthermore, language errors should be accepted as a way of improving and learning. The teacher has to understand it and see it as something natural. Instead of correcting the student’s errors directly, it is better to respond by modelling it. In fact, if the student is making a lot of mistakes, it is better to correct the most important one or ones, but not all of them. Otherwise, the student may feel discouraged and demotivated. In order to motivate the students, the activities should be interesting, creative and meaningful, without forgetting their previous knowledge.
When the teacher asks a question it is important to give them time to think on the question and the answer. However, sometimes, students do not feel ready to speak in front of the class and the teacher and in this case it is better not to push him or her. For this student, speaking in pairs or in small groups might be more comfortable, in special, at the beginning. Another relevant aspect is the creation of activities in which the students have to work in pairs or groups, in order to make them speak English with their classmates. The teacher should encourage them to help each other in front of the difficulties and doubts since it is a way of learning from the others. Through the cooperative learning, students are able to practise their oral skills in a non-threatening environment which can be really effective and positive for their learning. A part from all these points, it is essential to have in mind that if we want that our students speak in English as much as they can, the teacher must speak it all the time that it is possible. As it is mentioned before, supporting students for speaking is necessary. As stated in Speaking and Listening: resource book (2013) speaking is considered to be a process as well as a product. Effective English speakers are able to plan and prepare the speaking according to the purpose, the audience and the context. However, it is useful and important to prepare our students for speaking in a formal or less familiar speaking situation in which they could feel more uncomfortable than in a familiar situation. There are several activities that can be used in order to achieve this goal such as sharing personal experiences, determining the purpose for speaking, brainstorming, establishing a knowledge base, organising and recording information and considering point of view. In conclusion, a teacher must be aware of the importance of giving opportunities to students for talking in the language that they are learning and studying. Speaking is a way of learning and improving a foreign language since it is a way of expressing themselves at the same time that they use and improve their own speaking skills. Support is essential and necessary to help students improving and learning, developing their speaking skills.
RESOURCES: -
Many roots, Many voices. Supporting English Language Learners in every classroom. A practical guide for Ontario educators. (2005). https://www.edu.gov.on.ca/
https://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/manyroots/manyroots.pdf -
Speaking and Listening: resource book (2013). Department of education. The government of Western Australia. First Steps. file:///C:/Users/Familia/Desktop/FIRST005.pdf
Student: Mireia Vilà Subject: Pràcticum V Year: 2014-15