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Learning outside of the classroom

10/13/2017

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Hi Everyone,
 
I want to start this blog by reiterating two things many teachers and educators already know:

1) Engaging children with fun and interesting lessons makes learning so much easier.
2) Encouraging children to learn and develop outside of the classroom helps foster a love of learning, increases self-confidence, and helps build grit.

With this being true, I want to do a short post on: Learning outside of the classroom!

Explorative play and experiential learning activities outside of the classroom have the potential to positively impact the lives of young people. Whether it be setting up a lemonade stand, planting flowers, playing make-believe, or even creating YouTube videos, these types of learning experiences help lay the foundations for shaping a child’s growing knowledge, confidence, self-awareness, and personal identity. On top of this, this type of play and exploration has been shown to help children develop grit, creativity, communication skills, and teamwork skills – all skills that will serve them well in the future.

And if that is not enough, children who engage in explorative play and experiential learning activities outside of the classroom often achieve better grades at school, have greater levels of physical fitness and motor skill development, have increased confidence and self-esteem, display enhanced leadership skills, and are often more socially competent and environmentally responsible than their non-playing and non-experimenting peers.
​
This being the case, isn’t it time for parents and teachers to bring ‘playtime’ back? Isn’t it time to encourage our kids to experiment with tasks and activities (suited to their maturity and experience levels) and let them learn by doing? Yes, that’s right! It is that time!

Learning outside of the classroom in action.

Check out this video by Jenny – a perfect example of a young person learning by doing. 
I think she learned (or is learning) the following:

1) Communication skills
2) How to edit a video and use a camera
3) Researching skills (I am sure she looked up what other YouTubers do to make cool videos)
4) Grit (I am sure she had to redo certain sections – not giving up until the task was complete.)
5) The power of social media (I am sure she is learning more about the power of social media.) and how to use it for the right reasons.
 
I am sure Jenny learned many other things too, many of which won’t become apparent until later in life when she draws on these skills to help her at school, university, or in her profession.
 
In closing I would like to just say this - Let the children play, create, and experiment, it’s good for them!
 
Thanks for reading,
 
Josh
Keep English (and Education) Real!

References/Further reading:.

Malone, K. (2008). Every Experience Matters: An evidence based research report on the role of learning outside the classroom for children’s whole development from birth to eighteen years. Report commissioned by Farming and Countryside Education for UK Department Children, School and Families, Wollongong, Australia.

Gopnik, A. (2012): Let the children play, it's good for them. Smithsonian Magazine.
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Flipped Classrooms for EFL/ESL Classes!

5/9/2017

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​ Hi teachers (and random web surfers)

1) Have you ever heard of the pedagogical model known as the ‘flipped classroom’?
2) Have you ever experimented with the ‘flipped classroom' in your EFL/ESL classes?
Or
3) Would you like to know more about the ‘flipped classroom’?

Regardless of your replies, this post is going to discuss:

The Flipped Classroom!

What is the flipped classroom?  
The flipped classroom (FC) is a style of teaching (validated by research) that – in simple terms – turns the traditional ‘lecture → homework’ on its head.

How does it work?
In a flipped classroom the traditional ‘content’ (i.e., lecture/reading) of the class is done at home prior to the class. Then during the class the traditional ‘homework’ (i.e. activities) component is done.

Why is it beneficial?
1. The FC gives students the time to review the lectures as many times as they need – allowing them to learn at their own pace.
뒤집힌 수업은 학생들이 배운 내용을 필요한 만큼 복습할 시간을 준다.
2. Classes are more efficient as the students enter the classroom with the questions and sticking points they need clarified.
어려운 문제나 질문들을 할 기회가 많아져 수업 시간을 효과적으로 활용할 수 있다
3. The FC allows more class time to be devoted to addressing questions the students may have.
수업시간 동안 학생들이 질문할 수 있는 시간이 더 많이 주어진다.
4. The FC allows more time for ‘learning while doing’ – e.g. doing activities or engaging in project-based learning etc.
학생들이 수업시간에 참여함과 동시에 배울 수 있는 환경을 조성한다.
5. The FC creates a more collaborative environment – as students can help each other with tasks.
학생들 간에 서로 도움을 주며 배울 수 있는 협력적인 환경을 조성한다.
6. The FC promotes equal learning opportunities.
동등하게 배울 수 있는 기회가 주어진다.
7. The FC frees up the teacher’s time – since you don’t need to prepare or give the same lecture 1000s of times. Just record it once and disseminate it.  
강사의 시간이 좀더 여유로워 질 수 있다. 

What are the caveats or downsides?
1. The FC is not ideal for young or immature learners.
뒤집힌 수업은 나이가 어린 학생들에게는 적합하지 않다.
2. The FC is not suitable for those who can’t access the lectures (or other materials) away from the classroom.
강의실 밖에서 강의나 수업 내용을 열람할 수 없는 학생들에게도 적용하기 어렵다.
3. The FC is not ideal for students who lack motivation.
목표의식이 없는 학생들에게는 적합하지 않다.
4. It might take time for teachers to write and record (or find) suitable materials.
​
강사가 수업 준비할 시간을 더 할애해야 할 수도 있다.

What do I need to do or have in order to implement a flipped classroom?
1. You are going to need a good set of materials that your students can access away from the classroom. And remember, a flipped classroom does not mean there are no activities to be done at home. If you think an activity is needed to supplement the video/reading – then give it.
학생들이 강의실 밖에서 열람할 수 있는 효과적인 영상이나 프린트 물 등의 수업 자료를 준비해야 한다.
2. You are going to have to have a plan for what classroom activities can supplement and enrich the learning the students are doing at home. (Think reinforcing and complementing!)
학생들이 효과적으로 강의 내용을 습득할 수 있는 보충 자료가 필요하다.
3. You are going to have to make sure the students know what the flipped classroom is for.
뒤집힌 수업이 무엇이며 어떤 효과가 있는지 학생들을 이해시켜야 한다.
4. You might have to get the parents involved – especially with younger or less motivated students.
나이가 어리거나 목표의식이 뚜렷하지 않은 학생들에게는 부모님들의 참여가 필요할 수도 있다.

​These guys offer some practical advice! (And it only takes 4:40)

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Lesson Idea - Listening for meaning and learning!

3/7/2017

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Welcome back,

In this post I would like to share with you an example of a simple homework exercise I like to give my students to help them with their listening skills (check out the various skills we need to develop for listening right here).

The goal of this exercise is to encourage the students to listen for both meaning and language development. It is also used to either review or preview topics or subjects which will be (or were) discussed in class.

The following example was given to one of my classes of adult students (upper-intermediate level) who are studying English to help them in their roles as sales people for different international companies. This activity was given as a pre-class activity (i.e., students need to watch the clip before their next class - as we will be discussing the notion of ‘trust’ as it relates to their jobs) in an attempt to build background knowledge and introduce the students to some new terminology/vocabulary they may encounter. It was also given as a tool to encourage the students to reflect on whether or not they agree with the speaker in the clip and to articulate why or why not.
 
Example Lesson – Listening for meaning and learning
1. First - Listen for general understanding 전체적인 맥락을 생각하며 들으세요.
2. Second - Listen for details/facts 구체적인 세부사항에 집중하며 들으세요.
3. Third – Listen for specific vocabulary (touch each word/phrase on the list as you hear them) 아래에 나열된 단어에 집중하며 들으세요.(단어나 표현을 들으면 터치하세요.)
4. Fourth - Listen again for general understanding 전체적인 내용을 생각하며 다시 들으세요.
5. Reflect and explain why you agree or disagree
​Clip: 
Vocabulary:
“Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.” - Oscar Wilde (1854-1900): don’t try to be someone else – be who you are
Mantra (n.): a chant, word, or sound repeated to aid concentration in meditation
Higher consciousness (n.): the belief of a higher or greater self
“Not that there’s anything wrong with that.” - (saying coined in Seinfeld TV show): used to show that an alternative solution/option is also fine or something else is acceptable
Impress (v.): to have a positive impact on someone
Bombard (v.): assail (someone) persistently, as with questions, criticisms, or information
A million ways from Sunday (idiom): thoroughly, completely, in every way imaginable
Credible (adj.): able to be believed; convincing
Warts and all (idiom): accept someone/something even with the faults and bad things
Revel (v.): enjoy oneself; to be involved in thoroughly
Grossly (adv.): extremely; excessively
Utterly (adv.): 100%, entirely
Courage (n.): strength in the face of pain, fear, or grief
Trust (v.): to believe in someone or something
 
Notes:
  • This activity can be manipulated to suit any topic and any level (see how to manipulate different variables in this awesome lecture – FITT)
  • Instruction 5 can be changed to suit the needs, goals, and levels of the students
  • Notice how many of the terms and words can also lead to discussions about culture and language
 
I hope this simple exercise helps you help your students improve their listening skills.
 
Thanks for reading.
 
Josh

Keep English Real  

Click 'Read More' for the Korean version.


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    Josh's ESL Blog

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