F-R-O-N-T: 5 ways to make ‘exploring’ (in an ESL classroom) a shared adventure, rather than a disembodied barrage

• Main Author: Wilhelm, Tom
• Format: Book Section
• Language: English
• Published: Faculty of Communication and Modern Languages, Universiti Utara Malaysia 2007
• Subjects: L Education (General); PE English
• Online Access: http://repo.uum.edu.my/3283/1/Tom.pdf; http://repo.uum.edu.my/3283/; http://staf.uum.edu.my/tleia2/
• Institution: Universiti Utara Malaysia

Combining cooperative learning strategies, storytelling-as-a-performance-art skills, and public speaking fundamentals can make “Exploring” (in an ESL classroom) a shared adventure, rather than a disembodied barrage (resulting from misused tools. Audience analysis when applied to a classroom of students helps instructors to accurately target initial and ongoing needs, so that “change for the better” becomes a healthy habit. All too often language instructors face non-responsive students. There are reasons, other than “this group just seems to be that way,” for such behavior. Employing some simple techniques could turn your classroom into a fun-filled adventure. This paper puts forth the FRONT approach to engage students, rather than to repel them (or, worse yet, to accept apathy), within the classroom. Framing, then Painting; Reactive and Proactive; Own, Don’t Moan; No Techno Babble; and Tales – when applied in YOUR classroom - will lead to students wanting to return and participate. Developing such a win-win learning situation helps everyone to come out in FRONT in (second) language acquisition efforts!