Analysis of a Classroom Interaction

Within the field of education and language teaching over the last few years a distinct shift has taken place, resulting in many classroom interactions placing less emphasis on teachers and teaching and greater emphasis on learners and learning styles. This ‘learner-centred’ approach to education and ESL programs can be seen in many schools and language centres – indeed it is central to the approach taken at the school in question which will be used as the basis of the following classroom interaction study.

The school at which I currently teach has a large and successful language program running as part of an ‘International House’ attached to the main school. The International House supports upwards of sixty NESB students who are predominantly from East Asian countries such as China, Japan and Taiwan. The students arrive in Australia and are placed by the program directors into tiered ESL study classes. These classes accommodate beginner, intermediate and advanced/transition students – (transition students are preparing for admission into mainstream schooling and full immersion in the mainstream program.) A basic premise of the International School ESL program is that students must engage in meaningful activities, work in small classes and groups, take an active role in the learning process and feel they are part of a learning ‘community’.

When the students reach a level of communicative competency deemed by their ESL teachers and International House program consultants to be adequate, they are immersed in mainstream classes in the school according to their age. The following classroom interaction study aims to reflect on several performance standards and areas of interest – including what instructions are given to teachers, what aspect of language is expected to be learned in the lesson, what type of teaching resources and materials are used, what kind of learning is expected of the learners, and what teacher and learner roles are fostered in the classroom.

Lesson analysis took place at the International House learning centre, with permission from Miss Kate Abrahams. The class consisted of seventeen ESL students, aged from 13 to 16 years – Intermediate level learning environment.

Analysis of a Classroom Interaction

The teacher of this particular class has been given quite clear instructions with regards to the learning aims and objectives of the language course which she is teaching. Students are enrolled in this particular course with the majority hoping to gain a ‘mainstream’ place in the school or similar high school in Australia. They require both communicative and socio-cultural elements in the curriculum – and it is the understanding of the language centre that the teacher will facilitate this throughout the course. Instructions are given for teachers to develop an awareness of different student learning styles and strategies, to take an active interest in their students’ lives, likes/dislikes and so on, and to provide a caring and supportive learning environment. Activities are aimed at providing students with opportunities to practice and produce language as well as learn and listen to language. The theories and work of the likes of Harmer reflect this ‘balanced’ approach (Harmer 1991: 41) and is certainly encouraged by the language school as an appropriate method of instruction and teaching.

Teachers are instructed to attempt to provide authentic and meaningful learning experiences – cognitive, mnemonic, metacognitive and affective strategies are encouraged to be utilized in the classroom also. As O’Malley and Chamot detail, cognitive strategies can help learners to make links between new and already known information (O’Malley and Chamot 1990: 167-168) and is highly desirable in a language learning classroom. Mneumonic strategies are suggested to teachers in the program such as when drilling some grammar rules and vocabulary but are not apparently widely used. Instructions on the use of metacognitive strategies in the classroom consist of several different learner surveys used by the school. Teachers are encouraged to have learners identify for themselves what kind of learners they may be, what problem solving strategies they may use, how to find task-relevant materials in the library and other areas.

Teachers are instructed to provide a comfortable, supportive and communicative learning environment for the students. The teacher involved in this research on a classroom interaction stated that “many of the students are far from home, living in the boarding house of the school or with ‘home-stay’ families and can be anxious and extremely home-sick and disoriented when they first come into the program…we are not just teachers, but have to be listeners, mentors and friends to these students whilst still maintaining a student/teacher relationship…it can be hard.”

Online Masters in Education Whether you are a current educator or aspiring teacher, the prestige of earning your Master of Arts in Teaching degree from USC, an elite research university, now comes with the convenience and flexibility of studying online.
biarritz language school We are members of FLE.fr, a professionnal reference of quality in teaching French as a foreign language.
60 PMP PDUs Online for $349. PMI approved Pm Educate provides PMI PMP PDUs, PMP Exam Prep and CAPM Exam Prep Courses, PMI Registered Education Provider for PMP PDUs and exam prep.
cursos ingles londres Los grupos reducidos de las clases de inglés para los negocios, impartidos en nuestra céntrica escuela de Londres, le permitirán triunfar en el mercado global.
universities in madrid This programme is designed for international students from universities outsider the European Business School Group who wish to improve their level of Spanish.
aprender ingles toronto : Aprendizaje del idioma Inglés es ahora mucho más fácil. En EMY.ORG ofrecemos formación especializada (con 13 años de nuestra práctica) mientras disfruta de la belleza de Toronto.
corsi di lingua inglese : Scuola di Inglese al centro di Dublino con corsi di Inglese Generale, Programmi estivi per ragazzi, anno accademico in Irlanda, corso CELTA di preparazione insegnanti di Inglese, lezioni serali di Inglese di ottima qualita
masters in health administration Advance your healthcare career with a masters in health administration from SJU-Online.com.
Sun Laboratories Sun Laboratories continues to lead the industry with innovative methods of applying sunless self-tanning products. Sun Laboratories unique and groundbreaking ideas offer choice for both the professional and the consumer. Sun Laboratories has the best tanning products.
criminal justice degree Study online and earn a criminal justice degree from LoyolaNewOrleansOnline.com.
rn to bsn online programs Advance you nursing career by studying the rn to bsn online programs at SacredHeartOnline.com.
masters in human resource management Enroll today to earn your masters in human resource management at ScrantonUniversityOnline.com.
oxford english course Our fantastic new English language school in Brighton is located close to all the attractions of the city centre and the beach, which is about 15 minutes away.
Buy Ipad books for children Buy ipad books on very reasonable prices for your children. Log on to our website and learn more about our ipad books.
Dll files DLL search plays a significant role as DLL files contain functional data that are shared among various programs.
sales assessment test We provide accurate sales tests. Our pre employment assessment and sales personality test help you hire and develop top-producing salespeople.
sell textbooks Sell your textbooks or sell your books with ease here at Sellusedbooks.com. It is the best place to sell your books online.
health information technology degree The Northwestern College online associate in Business Administration degree program provides you with a solid foundation on which to build your future career in business, whether you want to work in finance, human resource management, or even become an entrepreneur.
brighton language schools We are committed to providing the very best in English language classes.British Study Centres is a group of English language schools with centres in London, Oxford, Brighton & Bournemouth and offers quality English courses for adults and juniors.
nd-center.com Get fake documents for display in multiple locations at nd-center.com