Reflection 6

If only she knew

In the school where I was doing my practicum, I think there were very good teachers; with the teacher that I was in her class, does an excellent work with all the students from different parts of the world. While I was in the school, I was trying to observe what the teacher can improve, and I realize that this teacher doesn't relate the content that the students are learning with real situations.
According to what we have been studying, children need to learn lessons that have meaning for now. The idea is that the students not only could learn about history or just grammar, the idea is that the students can feel that they are learning for a real purpose; the school has to help them to use their knolewdge now.

I was looking for some pages that can support my answer, and I found an interesting document that talks about it.
To summarise some important things that the document says, and can explain the purposes that a task in class need to have, here is a little list:

• Coherence and unity for learners (from topic, activity and /or outcome)
• Meaning and purpose for learners
• Clear language goals
• A beginning and end
• Active involvement on the part of learners

The complete article is in this link:
http://www.um.es/glosasdidacticas/doc-es/18megias.pdf

ESL students have the need of learning language that can be useful, they need to communicate their ideas with friends, in the street, to buy something, etc. If the students feel that they are learning for real life in the school, they are going to feel motivation to assist.