SUSTAINING INTERACTION THROUGH GROUP WORK

SUSTAINING INTERACTION THROUGH GROUP WORK

1. GROUP WORK

   • Techniques in which two or more students are assigned a task that involves collaboration.
   • ADVANTAGES
     • Generates interactive language
     • Offers an embracing affective climate
     • Promotes learner responsability and autonomy
     • Step toward individualizing instruction
   • EXCUSES FOR AVOIDING GROUP WORK
     • Ex.1: teacher no longer in control of the class
     • Ex.2: students will use their native language
     • Ex.3: students' errors will be reinforced in small groups
     • Ex. 4: teachers cannot monitor all groups at once
     • Ex.5: some learners prefer to work alone

2. IMPLEMENTING GROUP WORK IN YOUR CLASSROOM

   • EVALUATING CLASSROOM LANGUAGE
     • Teachers have to ascertain students have the appropriate command of classroom language.
       • Not simply assume the students have the necessary competence to performed the discourse required of a group task.
   • SELECTING APPROPRIATE GROUP TECHNIQUES
     • Pair work appropriate for tasks that are: short, linguistically simple and quite controlled in structure.
     • Choose something that lends itself to the group process.
       • 1. Games. 2. Role plays and simulations. 3. Drama. 4. Projects. 5. Interviews
         • 6. Brainstorming. 7. Information gap. 8. Jigsaw activities. 9. Problem solving & decision making. 10. Opinion exchange
   • PLANNING GROUP WORK
     • 1. Introduce the technique
     • 2. Justify the use of small groups for the technique
     • 3. Model the technique
     • 4.Give explicit detailed instructions
     • 5. Divide the class into groups
     • 6. Check for clarification
     • 7. Set the task in motion
   • MONITORING THE TASK
     • Teachear will be available for help
     • May make a suggestion to keep them on task
     • Circulate among the students
       • You can listen to the students and get a sense of the groups' progress
     • Few don'ts
       • Don't sit at your desk and grade paper
       • Don't leave the room and take a break
       • Don't spent an undue amount of time
       • Don't correct students' errors unless asked to do so
       • Don't assumen a dominating or disruptive role
   • DEBRIEFING
     • 1.Reporting on task objectives
       • Perceive similarities and differences in their works
       • Motivation
     • 2. Establishing affective support
       • Feedback
       • Encourage students to participate