875. Solving problems as a class activity

 

 

One day teacher of English A said to teacher of English B, “Solving problems can be an activity that helps practice and play with the English language as a vehicle to do something else.

 

For example, some weeks ago both my students and I had got to decide what date we should finish the classes of a course. I’m referring to a course I’ve taught this year to adult learners whose end date could be discussed and fixed among all of us: between the end of May and the end of June.

 

To be honest we fixed the date partially in Spanish, our mother tongue. Still, I think this activity could be a good example of problem-solving activities. In our case: I let them know I was available until the end of June, and they could say their preferences, desires, doubts, problems to keep on attending the classes, another learner could say she might attend the course until the last Wednesday of June, and so on.

 

This activity is ideal for training learners for real situations they could encounter in their ordinary lives. By carrying out this activity repeatedly students become more and more autonomous and ready when they want to participate in further speaking activities.” / Photo from: horsebreedsinfo com. horseback riding  

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