The key to making a PBL activity in the ESL classroom work is finding a topic that is relevant for the students. I recently finished teaching a chapter on Music in my 9th Grade ESL classroom. In order to conclude our chapter, I assigned a Music Assignment.
The assignment was to reflect upon a picture provided in our text book, to choose a song that reflects the picture, to produce the lyrics of the song, the composer of the song,and then to explain what the song is expressing. All of this was created by the students on a 3-4 page Power Point. Students were allowed to work in groups of 2-3 students each.
The lesson was first given in the Computer Room in order give the students the ability to work together, and collaborate together, using the Internet and computer access necessary to complete the assignment.
The students loved working together. Students who usually do not participate much in class, were eagerly putting together beautiful assignments. The final products were presented in class. The students loved describing their connections to the songs that they had worked on. It was really nice to see the collaboration of the students as well.
Overall, creativity, and relevance are key to a successful PBL activity in the ESL classroom!
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Project Based Learning and English as a Second Language
Project Based Learning (PBL) is a relatively modern model of learning. Students are encouraged to learn a topic, be given a task to understand that concept, and then break into small groups within the class to create a solution to the task assigned realted to the topic. While this easily works in a Science or Math based lesson, how does this work within the framework of a class of English as a Second Language? Can this same model be used within the framework of a language learning classroom?
In my opinion, Project Based Learning is key to a creative ESL classroom. For example, students can easily review grammar concepts within a group format. This enables students to learn grammar rules, and apply these rules immediately within the framework of a smaller, more intimate setting. Students who are unaware of how to properly use certain constructs, may more readily do so when working within the framework of a smaller, and more intimate group.
In addition, students may use PBL within the context of Writing skills. For instance, a teacher may teach students how to properly write a letter, and then assign a task of a small group writing letters together to students in a foreign country.
Furthermore, students can use the PBL format to further their reading skills. A teacher may provide a small unseen reading text, and ask students to form small groups in which they read the text, and answer questions about that particular text.
In conclusion, PBL can be used in many various methods throughout the English as a Second Language classroom. All it takes is a creative teacher, and curious students who are eager to complete a challenge.
Project Based Learning (PBL) is a relatively modern model of learning. Students are encouraged to learn a topic, be given a task to understand that concept, and then break into small groups within the class to create a solution to the task assigned realted to the topic. While this easily works in a Science or Math based lesson, how does this work within the framework of a class of English as a Second Language? Can this same model be used within the framework of a language learning classroom?
In my opinion, Project Based Learning is key to a creative ESL classroom. For example, students can easily review grammar concepts within a group format. This enables students to learn grammar rules, and apply these rules immediately within the framework of a smaller, more intimate setting. Students who are unaware of how to properly use certain constructs, may more readily do so when working within the framework of a smaller, and more intimate group.
In addition, students may use PBL within the context of Writing skills. For instance, a teacher may teach students how to properly write a letter, and then assign a task of a small group writing letters together to students in a foreign country.
Furthermore, students can use the PBL format to further their reading skills. A teacher may provide a small unseen reading text, and ask students to form small groups in which they read the text, and answer questions about that particular text.
In conclusion, PBL can be used in many various methods throughout the English as a Second Language classroom. All it takes is a creative teacher, and curious students who are eager to complete a challenge.
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