Episode 010: Don't Box Them In

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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 blog Visualizing Ideas)
• #ELTChat Summary from May 7th 2014—“How we deal with passive learners,” compiled by Lizzie Pinard

1. Talking points from both sources and our experiences:

• 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 tips support distinguishing between the two,…
• …but don’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

1. Source: DFA Intercultural Global Solutions, LLC http://dfaintercultural.com/top-10-tips-for-communicating-with-anyone-in-the-world/
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!