 Sarah Lynn |
There are many ways to learn, but as teachers we tend toward our favorite modalities and learning styles. I wrote up this checklist to remind me of the variety possible in a language-learning classroom.
Instructions:
- Think back to your last week of teaching and check the boxes off. To maximize the value of this exercise, do it at regular intervals for several weeks.
- Don’t expect to check all the boxes. This is a self-study tool. The aim to help you become aware of the modalities you favor and the ones you avoid. The real work will be in trying to switch things up and use one of the un-checked modalities on this list.
| This past week, did my students . . . |
| 1. look at illustrations or photographs? |
| 2. look at charts, graphs, or maps? |
| 3. write in their notebooks? |
| 4. write on the board? |
| 5. trace words with their fingers on their desks? |
| 6. type on a keyboard? |
| 7. text notes or messages on their smart phones? |
| 8. highlight or underline words in a text? |
| 9. study with flashcards? |
| 10. make their own flashcards? |
| 11. read silently? |
| 12. read along as they listened to someone read aloud? |
| 13. read aloud to others? |
| 14. change seats? |
| 15. stand up in front of a group or the class? |
| 16. mime the meaning of a word or phrase? |
| 17. practice pronunciation chorally with one ear plugged? |
| 18. beat out the rhythm of a question or a phrase? |
| 19. use movement or music to improve their intonation? |
| 20. listen to recorded voices on audio? |
| 21. listen to another student speaking English? |
| 22. listen for specific features: stress, syllables, sounds, rhymes? |
| 23. watch a video clip from the internet? |
| 24. listen to relaxing music while doing individual work? |
| 25. use a computer, tablet, or cell phone to find information? |
| 26. use a dictionary or translating device? |
| 27. use a cell phone to show pictures or record their voice? |
| 28. work in small groups? |
| 29. work individually? |
| 30. work as a whole class on one question or assignment? |
Are there other modalities you use in your classroom that I didn’t list? Please share your ideas! http://teachertwoteacher.wordpress.com/
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