Active Learning class: Vocab. Skills Development

I've tried my best to create an active & productive class that I want to see. This kind of class could not be successful without active learners. Fortunately, I'd say most Ed. Eng. senior students were active.

For a 4-month class, I've implemented games, guest speakers & workshops in Vocab. Skills Dev. class. As these senior Ss studied 2 reading courses already; therefore, I'd not focused much on just vocab. Personally, I think it's boring to learn vocab. development separately.  These days, the world needs a global citizen who confidently shows critical thinking skills, interpersonal skills, and life long learning skills. Most classes shouldn't be taught separately. Grammar could not be a solo class but could be packed with Writing class. Or reading together with writing class.  When students read, they're supposed to be able to write or express ideas orally as well.

A traditional class tends to be disappeared, don't you think?

Let's see what activities I have integrated into my class.

1. Barefoot running, or physical activity, was integrated with learning new vocab. from A-Z.
Direction:  Students were supposed to run for about 100 m. to get 1 alphabet from a cloth bag. They got to say 3 words started by that alphabet.
e.g.  D  ( dilemma, diploma, dolphin)

2. Dance ( Earthquake Safety song)
Direction:  Students watched the song on Youtube together. Then, divided into 3 teams ( a team of 10).  They spent 15 minutes to discuss new dance steps in a team.  Lastly, they perform it in front of the class.  The most popular vote voted by classmates would get a snack from a teacher.

3. Crossword with the Christmas theme
Direction:  In a team of 6, students play crosswords. They got a chance to win a prize if they could come up with words related to the Christmas theme.

4. Origami Workshop
I invited my American neighbors ( The family of parents and 3 kids) to learn origami, Japanese paper folding style hoping that students could be able to explain the procedure and at the end of the class they could get 3 paper animals.

5. Thank you note:  Writing a message to show your gratitude to friends, teachers, and roommates is a grateful way to strengthen your relationship with those you love.  Students were assigned to write the thank you note for 5-10 mins. Then, fold it.  After class, they gave it to that person and later posted it on our FB group.

6. Line Dance
Thanks to Christina, my American friend, who taught us the line dance.  It could be a good energizer for long hr. class and before starting a workshop, we could change into an energetic mood. Then, be more focused on folding paper.  Having kids in class boosts students' positive mood.  I found that most female students love to play with kids. Kids always get attention from adult learners.

7. Guest Speakers & Observer
In our 1st class, we had Sterling, the new American lecturer, who would like to observe how to teach Thai students actively. He asked if he could be in my class. Why not?  Apart from being the observer, I treated him as my student as well. I encouraged him to share ideas in class and he did his best to participate fully in class.

Teaching strategies:  
1. One Row One idea. 
To encourage students to speak up and not just let some potential students answer, by doing so, shy and quiet students were strongly encouraged to answer and share ideas, too.
2.  Numbered  student
Each student counted a number.  Write no. on a whiteboard. Then, the teacher or friends call 1 no. when they want to ask questions. They all could remember friend's names; therefore, numbering students will make all students get an equal chance to speak up.
3. Debate ( Bottled water causes environmental problems). 
4. Questioning with the critical thinking mind
Surprisingly, when allowing students to create their own questions by being more specific that they weren't allowed to use closed questions and only open questions are accepted, they could create the very critical thinking questions and answers.


-----------