APPROACHES IN LANGUAGE TEACHINGStrategies for Teaching the English Language Domains

Four Most Effective Strategies in Language Teaching (Facella et.al,2005)

a. The use of gestures and visual cues (e.g. Total Physical Response – learning action words by watching and imitating what the teacher says and does)

Song: Our Body Parts (To the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”)

We use our legs when we walk.We use our mouths when we talk.We use our hands when we write.We use our teeth when we bite.With each part, we can do a lot.

Let’s be proud of what we’ve got.

Steps to using total physical response (TPR)

1.Practice or rehearsal2.Testing or evaluation3.Teaching/ Learning

Sample Application of TPR (for the lines We Use Our Legs When We Walk)

1. While saying each line of the song, demonstrate the action and point to the body part that is moving.

2. Demonstrate a “think-aloud” by pointing to the body part that is moving and saying, “These are my/ This is my____________.”

3. Allow the children to label the body part (once they are ready) – “This is my___________.”

4. Ask the students to point/ talk about their body parts.

5. Repeat the process, demonstrating less for the succeeding days.

Pass It OnChoose a set of five or six students

and have them form a circle. A leader must pass around an action clockwise (counter clockwise) by demonstrating what it can do. The action will be repeated by each seatmate until it reaches the end of the circle. Once it reaces the end, ask the question, “What body part can (action word)?” Answer by saying the phrase, “My ______________”

b. The repetition of opportunities for practicing skills (i.e. Building memory and concept mastery)

Nose, Nose, Nose, Nose, Mouth

1. This game may be a whole class activity. Demonstrate how the game is to be played by pointing to your nose (4x) while naming it.

2. On the fifth try, name one of your other body parts and point to another (e.g. Say “eyes” but point to your ‘ears’.

3. The students should point to the corrrect body part and say “This is my _______________.”

4. The students can take turns being a leader.

c. The use of objects, props, hands-on materials and realia to clarify meaning (e.g. Using a puzzle, pictures, themselves)

Body Part Memory Game

1. Have two sets of pictures of the body parts included in the lesson.

2. Post them on the board (face down).

3. Flip open only two of the pictures. The object is to find a perfact match.

4. Once a pair is found, ask the student to give the name of the body part.

d. The use of multisensory approaches (i.e. Activities that target a variety of learning styles and modalities)

Sing a Song1. Sing a song to the child.2. Unlock important words in the song.3. Sing the song again!4. Teach the melody of the words.5. Draw the song, Dance the song,

Recite the song!6. Change some words to create a

new song.7. Sing the new song.

Funny Bones1. Have the students choose a

partner.2. A chosen leader gives directions

and asks the students to match a particular body part (e.g. Hands) with that of his/her partner 9e.g. Hands)

3. The students can take turns being a leader.

Finish My Song

Sing the target song together. Sing a few lines and leave a line unfinished. Ask a student to finish the song by providing the missing word.

Clap your hands. Touch your __________Turn around. Put a finger on you ____________Flap your arms. Jump up high.Wiggle your ____________ and reach for the _____________.

Reminders when teaching English:

Concept, Language and Literacy are Intertwined

The more language models children interact with, the more opportunities they will have to develop language skills.

The more children experience the world, the more they will have to talk about.

The better their language activity and the more experiences children have, the more prior knowledge they will have to bring to text when they read.

It all begins with a sense of wonder...

Develop varied interests and skills.

Explore everything and anything.Talk about everything and

anything we’ve explored.Allow them to explore the

language. Encourage their attempts to express themselves.

Provide options for them to respond a nd share.

Always...

Start from meaningful words and good quality literature (e.g. Songs, rhymes, stories, etc.)

Develop oral language ability in the language in which literacy will be developed (in this case, English)

Use the different senses to develop knowledge or words and concept/ ideas

Make learning fun and relevant!

THANK YOU!!!