398. She's helping her son develop communication



This is a comment I’ve just written, for British Council – BBC site, to answer a teacher who wants to receive ideas to teach the speaking skill. / Photo from learningsupport co uk (The comment has not been published yet: the staff is moderating whether being outlet on the site).



Hello Maria Victoria, small9 and vlnraojagatha,

You know what?

This morning I wrote a comment to try to help you, Maria Victoria. But, at sudden, right after having composed the comment, I clicked on I don't know where, with my mouse, and puuuf!!, everything disappeared.

Now I'm going to write the things I can remember. First, what I've just said above, well, is... funny. Let's put the anecdote aside.

You ought to, or you can speak in English, I'd tell you, from the very beginning until the very end of the class. Although your students may have close to no knowledge of English. It's like a treat between you and them. They soon will make up the image that you only speak in English, at that time, so as to say.

Plus you pretend you don't understand their L1. Funny. You create, in that way, an atmosphere where English is the only language spoken and listened to.

Why that much speaking in L2? It's of a paramount importance for them to grasp the texture of English.

Moreover, if you wish that someone would speak in English, and that person is learning or acquiring that language, that person needs loads of input in English. So, massive speaking by you.

This is the 'silent period', according to great Krashen, an expert scholar in acquisition of languages.

Stay calm. I usually say this to whoever is starting our fantastic career. And to me myself.

They may look they are in the clouds, or they are actually talking to each other; all the same, they are storing language, and above all, storing your commitment to them in the classroom. They are, say, swallowing and somehow digesting English.

Make them stand up, and move round, up and down: children, as you all know, shouldn't be sitting too much time.

Their brains are developing. Since they are not capable of abstract ideas at learning a language, use visual aids, and realia.

Swift activity or game, every few minutes.

If you see one game or activity doesn't work, also then swift into the next activity from your class-plan.

Pick up loads of patience. You, and also novice teachers, are learning the profession. You'll see the fruits. You are learning in the day-to-day battlefield.

Logical steps in the process of acquiring the capability of speaking:

1. Single isolated words, which they have heard from you many times. Those words are responses to your questions and prompts. Slightly praise that great step forward. They are beginning to communicate with you... in English!

2. Full sentences. These sentences may be broken English nonetheless. Doesn't matter.

3. Conversations, on interesting topics with which you get a linkage among them and you: exploit those moments!

When talking to them, during the 'silent period', make use of gestures, eye-contact, smiling, acting out, shifting of intonation, face expressions.

What else? I hope this would be any useful for you, and other potential new-teacher readers.

Best wishes.

Fernando M Díez Gallego

Teacher of English. Teacher trainer

Granada (Spain)

http://fernandoexperiences.blogspot.com

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