How
can English speaking instructors improve effectiveness with NESB learners
online, and encourage participation?
This
question was posed in the forum discussion and the chat on Wednesday.
Below are the collective responses (in no particular order). The list
reads like a collection of good practice strategies in teaching, and begs
the question, "do we need to do anything different when teaching
people from a non-English speaking background"? Is there a tendency
to overplay the significance of cultural and linguistic differences?
THE
CHECKLIST:
- make very regular
contact either through chat or telephone
- have 2/3 times
per week set aside where teacher is available in chat room and contactable
by telephone
- make sure students
have every opportunity to go through any difficulties they are having
with the teacher
- encourage students
by finding something positive to say about each one and saying it publicly
- a pat on the back for their contribution
- check for understanding
- don't use slang
- task-based cooperative-collaboration
instruction in group chat
- be open, creating
a relaxing environment
- if in chat, no
correction of grammar unless asked by the student
- find a topic that
students have strong feelings about
- give everybody
a go
- chat are good for
debates in groups
- use plain English
where possible.
- Explain technical
terms when used and
- have well structured
questions and sentences. No more than 1 or 2 concepts per sentence.
- demonstrate respect
and compassion
- build trust with
students
- using clear language
to minimise the risk of communication problems.
- Make participants
feel comfortable with the group that they are learning with.
- use emoticons like
:) :(
To join the discussion
go to http://toolbox.sit.nsw.edu.au
and log
in.
CHAT Session on
Wednesday, September 10th at 10.30 am CST, 11.00 am AEST, 1.00 am GMT
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