The Minimal Pair is a dynamic duo dedicated to discussing issues in language learning and teaching. This podcast focuses heavily on the practices, challenges, and rewards of teaching adult language learners. Together ESL instructors Stephanie Axe and Jean Dempsey comprise The Minimal Pair, but from time to time other professionals from the field, as well as English language learners themselves, will round out the discussion.
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The Minimal Pair is a dynamic duo dedicated to discussing issues in language learning and teaching. This podcast focuses heavily on the practices, challenges, and rewards of teaching adult language learners. Together ESL instructors Stephanie Axe and Jean Dempsey comprise The Minimal Pair, but from time to time other professionals from the field, as well as English language learners themselves, will round out the discussion.
The Minimal Pair: Episode 009 Show Notes: The Minimal Pair Title: DO Talk to Strangers Episode no: 009 Date: Recorded on 5/16/14 Topics in Language Learning Tutoring/student support Inspired by the article “Minimalist Tutoring: Making Students Do All the Work,” by Jeff Brooks of Seattle Pacific University (https://docs.google.com/document/d/18iposMnhBlTZIKhZ_s2gpgtfnd5-XV_nBRabuv44o3w/edit?hl=en_US) Talking points: Teaching students to fish Improve the student, not the paper Helping vs. editing Goal of writing a paper? Student ownership (both of their writing and their mistakes) “Basic Minimalist Tutoring” Tips: Sit beside the student Have the student be closer to the paper than you are Position yourself so that it’s not convenient to try to write on the paper; don’t bring a pen Have the student read the paper (so they’re not excluded) “Advanced Minimalist Tutoring” Tips: Concentrate on the paper’s strengths Ask “leading questions” Give the student a task, leave him/her alone, come back to check in “Defensive Minimalist Tutoring” Tips: Imitate student body language to show deference Be honest: “This is your paper, not mine!” [23:00] Methodology Small talk Our experiences… Why should we teach it? “Making space for English”—shout out to Anna Loseva The Fine Art of Small Talk by Debra Fine How can we incorporate it into our classrooms? 5 Tips for Students: Do talk to strangers Keep it light Being engaged Closing the conversation Reflect [40:40] Culturally speaking… Group work Why group work? How do we determine groups? Factors to consider and why: skill level, confidence/personality, age, gender, language background, religious/cultural background… The importance of teaching students how to be students in an American classroom SHOUT OUTS: Jeff Brooks of Seattle Pacific University & Anna Loseva @AnnLoseva
The Minimal Pair
The Minimal Pair is a dynamic duo dedicated to discussing issues in language learning and teaching. This podcast focuses heavily on the practices, challenges, and rewards of teaching adult language learners. Together ESL instructors Stephanie Axe and Jean Dempsey comprise The Minimal Pair, but from time to time other professionals from the field, as well as English language learners themselves, will round out the discussion.
