Pensamientos

**This is something that I posted on my old blog, way back on January 7, 2007.  I thought it would tandem nicely with my previous post.

“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.”  Mark Twain

One of my goals as a foreign language teacher is helping students to find their own way as learners. Here are some of the things that I do:

1. Teach target language dictionary usage skills. Yes, online dictionaries and translators in the target language exist. However, there is nothing in my mind like being able to navigate one's way through a dictionary. The mistake that most second language learners make most often is they don't seem to know how to go beyond the first entry. Teaching learners how to use a target language bilingual dictionary instructs them in parts of speech, and in word use and application.

2. Take advantage of "dead time" in class to review and practice. There is hardly a day when some of my students finish a task before the others do. However, in a second language class, there is always something to do: review lesson vocabulary; review verb conjugations; write practice sentences using the vocabulary and structures; make flashcards; do an online target language game; read a target language newspaper or magazine.

3. Before asking yours truly a question, I encourage the students to ask a peer. If that falls through, try to find the answer on his/her own. Students have access to handouts, class notes, the textbook, and target language dictionaries. So, there is no lack of resources to which to turn.

4. Do weekly check-ins. My students ask themselves, "What are my strengths with respect to the given lesson?" "What do I need to work on?" "What do I need to do to improve?"

5. Use classroom activities as opportunities to gauge and monitor progress with and mastery of the lesson material. For example, when we play games, I might stop the activity mid-way and say to the students something to the effect: "At this point, it should be clear to you how strong a grasp you have on the material. If you find that you have missed more than 30% of the answers, what does that tell you? What should you do?"

This is not an exhaustive list, and I am sure there are other strategies. However, the aforementioned are the ones I use with my students most often.

Happy language learning!:)