What Works
The question here might not be “what works” but rather “why it works.” In the field of second and foreign language acquisition, interaction in the classroom has long been considered a critical part of language learning. In an interactive classroom, adult learners are not only ready and willing to work together, they tend to learn better. They focus more on what they are saying rather than how they are saying it, thereby alleviating any self-consciousness or inhibitions that might otherwise keep them mute. Far more learning happens in a cooperative language environment in which learners manage meaningful context and language tasks that allow them to practice learned vocabulary and apply grammar concepts. They make choices! They generate their own sentences to convey the meaning they want - and ultimately with great success! Look below for tips and techniques from Work into Spanish that will help you create your interactive classroom.
Cool Conversations
June 1st, 2010
Conversation practice for breaks between classes! Here are some student tasks to keep the momentum going. Try one per week.
- Order a meal completely in Spanish.
- Watch one episode of “Betty La Fea.”
- Send an email to someone in Spanish.
- Read an article from a Spanish newspaper (online or buy) and write one sentence about its contents.
- Have a three-minute conversation with a Spanish-speaking employee about his/her plans for the holiday/summer/spring break - completely in Spanish!
- Write your to-do list for one day in Spanish.
- Find one Spanish grammar website on the Internet, and complete a free online practice.
- Visit a bookstore. While you’re there, read a Spanish children’s book.
- Listen to a Spanish CD.
- Write a three-line poem in Spanish.
Grammar Goodness
June 1st, 2010
To get along easier with Spanish commands, use “Favor de + infinitive verb form” as in “Favor de llenar esta forma /Please fill out this form.” It even works with negative commands as in “Favor de no llenar esta parte/Please don’t fill out this part.” Suggested by Joyce Lewis, Randolph Community College. Good one, Joyce!
Side Splitters
June 1st, 2010
Can you recite the Spanish alphabet from memory in less than 15 seconds?