Episode 010: Don't Box Them In - a podcast by Stephanie Axe and Jean Dempsey

from 2014-05-31T07:44

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Click here to listen to The Minimal Pair: Episode 010

Show Notes: The Minimal Pair
Title: Don't Box Them In
Episode no: 010
Date: Recorded on 5/30/14

Topics in Language Learning
Introverts/Passive Learning
  1. Sources:
  • “Passive Learners vs. Introverts—A comment,” by Naomi Epstein (from the blogVisualizing Ideas)
  • #ELTChat Summary from May 7th2014—“How we deal with passive learners,” compiled by Lizzie Pinard
  1. Talking points from both sources andourexperiences:
  • Distinction between “introverts” and “passive learners”
    • Introverts didn’t raise their hands, but were clearly listening; rather than conforming to the expected learning behavior, they adapt their own
    • Passive learners seem completely disengaged from the lesson; often don’t know what’s going on, when things are due, and how to complete assignments
  • Motivation
    • Students who have to be there vs. students who want to be there
    • Age and life experience as factors in student beahvior
  • Avoiding labels, targeting the problem
    • “Introvert” and “passive” are not mutually exclusive
    • Not important to argue over definitions or positive& negative connotations of each
    • More important to focus on the behaviors inherent to both/all kinds of learners and how to make space for them in the classroom
  1. Our tips:
  • Introverts
    • Variety of activities (i.e. speaking vs. writing)
    • Take it slow (build up to oral participation& give them time to think before responding)
    • Partner work (gives them a space to build confidence)
  • Passive Learners
    • Meeting them where they are (trying to get them to see it from their perspective)
    • Academic contract
    • Frequent conferences
  • How our tipssupportdistinguishing between the two,…
  • …butdon’t“box them in!”


[24:30]

Methodology
Journaling
  1. What
  • Informal assessment
  • Homework/in-class

  1. Who
  • Academic English students
  • Listening& pronunciation students
  • Grammar?
  1. Why
  • Reading comprehension
  • Summarizing, paraphrasing,& plagiarism
  • Vocabulary building
  • Description, Analysis, Self-reflection
  • Real world participation incentive
  • Progress monitoring
  1. When& Where
  • At home vs. in class
  • Before reading vs. after
  • Testing situations
  • Extra credit
  1. How
  • Side-by-side
  • Quote-paraphrase-reflect
  • Vocabulary
  • Listening comp.
  • Group work
  • STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) journals
  • Daily reflections

[45:20]

Culturally speaking…
Cross-cultural communication
  2. What are Dean Foster’s tips and how do we use them in the classroom?
Take your time – Ask the other speaker to slow down – Keep it simple – Don’t be afraid to ask for help – Avoid baseball English – Skip the acronyms – Don’t ask yes/no questions – Get rid of double negatives – Talk to more than one person – Start formal – Pay attention to the non-verbal – Be respectful, be interested,& be humble

SHOUT OUTS: #ELTchat and everyone who participated in the conversation, especially Naomi Epstein and Lizzie Pinard)

YOU our listeners! Thanks!

Adjunct Action!

Keep it minimal!




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