This is an experience of a friend from another university in Sri Lanka, true story but names are changed for convenience.Isuru was at a basic level in his English knowledge but was a nerd in his field of archeology. He would carry out research and was a person with interesting ideas but had a little difficulty communicating them in English. At his university he was in a lower level class in the foundation in English course. One day he came out from the class really frustrated because that day what they discussed in the class was about unicorns. Even though the lesson was carried out in English, the content would have been rather interesting to children and not everyone in a classroom of university students.
Course contents need to be intellectually stimulating for learners to engage in better conversations to develop their skills. The Radiant Way: First Step, book by Elizabeth L. Sinton and Jane Brown wouldn't be appropriate in a classroom of adult learners even though it is simple and easy to understand because it wouldn't be engaging and a satisfying learning experience. Showing a documentary would be a relatively better idea as even after the lesson there would still be more to take home. There would be new information and ideas along with new vocabulary. In Isuru's classroom we could have got all the students coming from different backgrounds to explore the relevance of English as a second language and seek a common ground to understand better what they learn and apply the knowledge practically.
Course content also needs to be more informative for example, course content could lead to further knowledge of the culture and the background. It would keep the learners interested and inspire them to continue with further research on their own encouraging them to do self-studying.
Given that we are in the information age and more information is at the fingertips, there is always more to exchange and interact with. In an ESL classroom learners can be encouraged to share information and ideas and enable conversations in the second language allowing the learners to bring in their insights and share their experiences.
The eye-catching article begins with an anecdote which increases curiosity and the interest which leads the reader to explore what intellectuality is. The writer has mentioned the importance of selecting subject content with relevant to the cognitive level of the learners as the story reveals out. Further the article elaborates the value of developing cognitive skills in an era of information availability at fingertips. However it will be more interesting if intellectual interaction and teacher's role in developing classroom interaction is presented elaboratively with classroom strategies. A clear and concise article...
ReplyDeleteThe article begins uniquely. The writer has commenced her article with a narrative story which adds a good look to the article. It tells about a child who was struggling to communicate in English and had an opportunity to use English through a “satisfying learning experience”. “Course contents need to be intellectually stimulating for learners to engage in better conversations to develop their skills”. Through these lines, the writer points out how course content plays an important role in developing their interaction. In the same way, she indicates how modern technology is a part of increasing the effectiveness of students’ learning process.
ReplyDeleteUseful Content!!
The article begins with a narrative story highlighting the fact that content of the lesson should be interesting to intellectually stimulate the learner's interaction. The author further mentions the importance of course content which should be more informative to inspire and motivate the students in their self studying. Moreover, the writer reveals that as we are in the information age, the ESL learners are encouraged to share their ideas and experiences interactively among the other learners. The writer has used simple writing style. The words are colloquial. The story quickly grabs the attention of the readers. However, this article briefly reveals many factors that relate to develop the students' intellectual interaction.
ReplyDeleteHi there Melesha. It is a very interesting post as you shared personal experiences. Your story refreshed my opinion on this topic. Most educators (especially in Sri Lanka) pay less attention to the relevance of the curriculum based on the intellectual level of the learners. Most of the text books include less interactive activities to each lesson. Most of the articles on this blog have discussed the teacher’s role but you have seen the role of the curriculum developers in the intellectual interaction. I also agree with your suggestion at the end. With the developing technology, teachers can find many ways to interact with the learners just like our lecturer gave us this assignment based on the blog creation.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting story!
ReplyDeleteEach of us has our own stories within the ESL classroom, where we come into the classroom with different expectations. At the end of the day, the lesson and the way the teacher teaches us the lesson define whether the teacher did a good job. That's where the interaction between us and the teacher really matters. If you want an engaging classroom environment, you need to have the classroom arranged for the learners to be engaged. For that, the teacher needs to plan the lesson more efficiently and suitably for the learners in the classroom. You have said that important fact through a simple story.
A big WOW is on the way to you Melesha for the uniqueness you have added to the beginning of this article. it is composed with personal experiences, and therefore it increases readers' curiosity to continue the reading further. you have viewed the topic in way more differently, and mainly on course content. the fact that you have pointed here is, the subject content should be created relevant to the cognitive level of the learners. yes, I agree with you. if not, learner's motivation will fade way. however, the article will be more interesting if you have mentioned the details on intellectual interaction and teacher's role in developing classroom interaction. Great effort!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting article Melesha! I love the way you've started the article. The personal experience itself shows to what extend the intellectual interaction is important for every and each student in a language classroom. The role of the curriculum developers' is something missed in most of the article in the blog. When there is less interaction, the blame is always upon the teacher. But with your article another aspect of ESL classroom as well the syllabus is revealed. Not everyone of us is same and only a less understand it. But you have very nicely depicted about the plight of whole student generation, who are different from one another. However, I think it is better if you have told more about the teacher's role in the process of enhancing the intellectual interaction.
ReplyDeleteWow melisha! At the very beginning, she gives a different experience rather than other articles. Because she used an example to enter the article. Then she steps by step tells the interaction between the student and the teacher. It is readable and she used very simple language .it providing enthusiasm to read the article.I enjoy, reading this article. Because of her way of expressing her attitude in an interesting way regarding the topic.
ReplyDeleteHi Meleesha! An attractive and informative article containing rich information about intellectual interaction in an ESL classroom. You have amazingly described the importance of intellectual learning and the methods and activities that can be done to archive and sustain it. You have made an article that strongly resembles the modern era of intellectual interaction. I perfectly agree with the duties and responsibilities that lie within the teacher to make this concept a reality. This manages to inculcate the necessary information within a reader to get a better understanding of intellectual interactions in an ESL classroom and the modern way of achieving it.
ReplyDeleteThe author has used a unique way to write the post. The fact that it is made up of personal experiences makes readers more interested in reading more. You have approached the subject in a really unique way, focusing mostly on the course material. You have seen the role of the curriculum developers in the intellectual interaction and I think it is important to mention that point. The author emphasizes the significance of course material in developing student interaction. The reader's interest in the story is soon captivated. A wonderful article
ReplyDelete