week 7

Teacher’s wait time and student motivation

During the speaking activity my mentor teacher listened to students patiently and usually commented on them positively. I liked that patience and positive comments as they increased students’ motivation. I mean, in class that day were so many students who wanted to talk about their and their parents’ duties. Moreover, the teacher first gave examples from her own life; for example, I and my husband have to cook. Then, she asked students’ or their parents’ duties that they have or have not to do. When students made mistakes the teacher corrected them in this way:

S: I make my bed.                                                                

T: You have to make your bed.

I liked it as that error correction technique does not discourage students but it makes them be more motivated. Another error correction technique that the teacher used was using fingers. The teacher used her fingers when students made mistakes, that is, when they skipped one or two words while talking.

I liked it as well. We have always seen that strategy in our ELT courses but I had not thought that the teachers use it in reality but it is being used and really works.

The last thing I want to mention is the teacher made students to play hangman and by playing it students found that day’s topic:
                                            

Then, the teacher made Mind Map with the students. I will definitely use this strategy if I teach younger learner as it is very enjoyable for them and very meaningful.