English in the Classroom

 

 

Determine what languages are used at various times in the school day.

In the activities below, do you normally use…

·        Mainly English (L₂)?

·        Mainly the student’s own language (L₁)?

·        A mixture of the two?

 

Check the appropriate boxes and add other informal opportunities in the empty spaces.

 

	English (L2)	Korean(L1)		Both
Introducing the lesson
Checking attendance
Organizing classroom activities
Presenting new language
Introducing a text
Asking questions about a text
Correcting errors
Assigning homework
Informal talking with students

 

There are two main ways English is used in class – in teaching the lesson itself and in activities that surround the lesson but are not actually part of the teaching.  The focus here is on using English in the activities that “surround” lessons.

 

Value of using English during the school day in informal settings

·        Provides opportunities for real, natural use of English as students practice listening and responding.

·        In order for students to become proficient and comfortable using English, they must make use of it on a daily basis in an authentic setting!

·        Students pick up words and expressions beyond textbook language.

·        Students see English as real language for communication, not just a subject to be studied.

·        Presents a good role model to students.

·        Students see the value of both languages.

 

 

Social Language – Interaction among and with students

Creates an opportunity for real language practice and creates an “English language” atmosphere in the class

Teacher makes use of opportunities to chat with students in an informal manner.

• Talking with students about topics of interest.
• Asking questions and eliciting students’ comments.
• Having daily topics for discussions.

Examples: Holidays, things students did the previous day, sports events, local news, birthdays, interesting TV programs, etc.

 

Organizational Language – Teachers say many things simply to organize a lesson, starting & stopping an activity, getting students to do or not to do things.  Repeated lesson after lesson, students quickly learn.

Simple commands and organizing expressions such as the following:

·      Please stand up, sit down, listen, focus, open your books, take out your pencil, Listen, Repeat, etc.    

• Who would like to clean the chalkboard?   Now practice the activity with a partner.   Read the text silently.   When you have finished, raise your hand.   Get into groups.   I’m going to read the text to you.    Do exercise 8 for homework, please.   Open your books to page 49.  

Explanations – Often more complex.  If given in English, it will provide very useful listening practice for the class, but must be as simple and clear as possible.

 

Routines

Morning Announcements

Setting up routines for using language helps students overcome shyness when speaking in front of a group and helps them to become more confident in using a language.  The more practice, the easier it is.  For the following classroom/school routine, assign each student or pairs of students a day or a whole week to give "morning announcements".  This is an excellent activity for upper level students if there is a school intercom.  The whole school can listen!

 

Students are provided the form for the announcements.  They pre-plan what they will say by finding information to put in the blanks.  If this is a classroom activity, they should be encouraged not to read the announcements.  Notes are okay to guide them through the parts.

 

 

 

 

MONDAY

 

Good morning, I'm________________ in the 6^th grade bringing you the morning announcements.

 

Today is Monday, _________________, 2001.

 

This day in history . . . or any other information the student might like to include.

 

Happy birthday today to . . .

 

Special announcements:

 

This is ________________ signing off.  Have a ___________ day!

 

* Each day should look a little different.  Encourage students to be creative.

 

Routine Readings – keep them simple and let student’s choose favorite stories, poems, etc.

English, your own language, or both?

Make posters w/English and Korean phrases.  Use and encourage students’ use of English.  Check students’ retention periodically through distributive practice review and questioning. 

 

Winners Are People Like You

 

Winners take chances.

Like everyone else, they fear failing,

but they refuse to let fear control them.

Winners don't give up.

When life gets rough, they hang in

until the going gets better.

Winners are flexible.

They realize there is more than one way,

and are willing to try others.

Winners know they are not perfect.

They respect their weaknesses

while making the most of their strengths.

Winners fall, but they don't stay down.

They stubbornly refuse to let a fall keep them from climbing

Winners don't blame fate for their failures,

Nor luck for their successes.

Winners accept responsibility for their lives.

Winners are positive thinkers who see good in all things.

From the ordinary, they make the extraordinary.

Winners believe in the path they have chosen

Even when it's hard

Even when others can't see where they are going.

Winners are patient.

They know a goal is only as worthy as the effort

That's required to achieve it.

Winners are people like you.

They make this world a better place to be.