Teaching methods and approaches

by Jonathan Semenick

What can a new teacher do? What can a teacher who suddenly has ESL students do to make that lesson plan work? Some of the best focuses for a first class or for a class early in the student/teacher relationship include writing practice, basic vocabulary, getting acquainted, and themes of tolerance of individual differences. Newspapers, phone books, magazines as well as other realia and your students themselves may be the best resources for lesson materials. The following questions are examples of what teachers may want to ask themselves and reflect on when they are thinking about lesson plans and which materials to utilize and some possible answers to those questions. How can I help students increase sight word recognition? •Sight word lists •Flash cards posted around the room •Videos with flash cards •Language experience stories How can I offer learner-centered instruction? •Finding a real need (driver's license) •Assessing education in first language, not just in English •Using real, natural curiosity •Recognizing different learning styles •Provide English readings on students' own countries/holidays and on topics of common interest, such as money management •Being culturally sensitive/tolerant •Being aware of program overviews and state demographics as well as trends How can I determine which commercial materials are useful? •Read previews of ESL materials •Read critiques of what has/has not worked •Contact publishers and ask for catalogs •Connect with professional organizationsAttend conferences and demonstrations •Ask other teachers •Use checklists (for example, see Celce-Murcia, 444-453) •Visit local libraries and bookstores How can I isolate what a student understands and what a student does not understand? •Learn to recognize the sounds and pronunciation patterns of other languages •Learn to recognize different means of solving problems and thinking about problems •Develop an understanding of the language acquisition process How can I encourage students' participation/ interaction? •Film and literature adaptations •Student dialogue •Small group work •Discussion and reflective journals •Language experience stories •Peer instruction How can I incorporate technology in the classroom? •Songs and music •Staging and recording "radio plays" •Videotaping •Computer software •Web searches •TV programs/ instructional videos •Overhead projectors •"Typing tutors" •Listserv "pen pals" How do I develop effective student assessment? •Use authentic and portfolio assessment •Weigh the advantages of formal versus informal assessment •Do both ongoing and initial assessment What are the tests students need/want to take? •GED •Citizenship test •TOEFL •TOEIC •TWE •ACTFL There are many more possible answers to these questions. There are also many more questions that are pertinent to ABE ESL teachers. Some of these include -- How do I manage a classroom when new students enter constantly ? How do I manage a multi-level classroom? A divided one ? One in which the attendance is inconsistent? How do I set up the physical classroom? Connecting with professional organizations, engaging in staff development activities, and consulting new electronic, human, and print resources are just three ways of expanding your knowledge base and seeking answers to the many questions classrooms teachers face. Ultimately, of course, the LEARNING is the most important thing.

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