Thread: The End of the Monolingual Classroom?

Maybe not totally but some big movements in the field of English teaching recently given current research into translanguaging and the marginalisation of other languages.

In fact, the British Council have just updated their statement of approach to reflect exactly this: that an English only policy will no longer be imposed on English teachers in the network.

Long overdue IMO when used judiciously.

A few things immediately spring to mind:

Many schools have discreetly been doing this for years by giving lower level classes to local teachers. Well now there is research out there to tell students why!

However, it will still be a tough sell to parents who expect English only in their kids' lessons (having been told this is the only way for so long).

As more attention is shone on this move, it will only further empower high quality local teachers and perhaps lead to the end of the Khao San Road chancers.

Managed properly - to repeat again, judiciously - I only see this as a good thing.

You been wiv Polly Glot? " Er Gative sin tax is summat to right homoabout

Originally Posted by david44

You been wiv Polly Glot? " Er Gative sin tax is summat to right homoabout

It's far too late where you are on a Saturday and far too early where I am for this conversation to ever make any sense.

Translanguaging has been big for a while. Great for those new to English. (When possible) we provide the text in their home language so they can read ahead to make connections in the lesson.

It works really well for KS2 where there are whole units of learning based on novels. And if they don't understand the story then they're well fucked.

Originally Posted by armstrong

(When possible) we provide the text in their home language so they can read ahead to make connections in the lesson.
.

That's a really good idea.

I saw a great INSETT on contrastive analysis a few years ago with a load of fantastic practical activities for those who have sufficient command of the local language.

Of course, it's different if you have a mixed group of students in class, but I've long railed against the idea of a teacher spending 5 minutes eliciting, concept checking and clarifying the meaning of a tricky word when it could- sensibly - be done in 2 seconds if both the teacher and learners know the meaning in the learners L1.

Madness.

Of course, the problem is finding a balance.

We use Widgit Online to make texts easier to understand. You can also add translations. It's well expensive though apparently.

Most of our EAL learners are from the same few countries so have amassed resources over the years for them. It's not the technical language that's the problem as all the students are learning that, it's the subject specific words like row, table, the million ways to say addition or subtraction etc.

Oh look, TEFLrs trying to catch up to the real world.


Amzed it’s taken the British council this long to acknowledge.

Originally Posted by DrWilly

Oh look, TEFLrs trying to catch up to the real world.

Running out of threads to troll on since Misskit handed you your arse on a plate, William?

Originally Posted by hallelujah

Running out of threads to troll on since Misskit handed you your arse on a plate, William?

I read it very differently, but ok.

This topic is about the British council being decades out of date. But at least we agree it’s a step in the right direction.

Originally Posted by DrWilly

This topic is about the British council being decades out of date. .

No, it isn't.

There's a clue in the title of the thread and the opening line of the post (what may be called the topic sentence).

Originally Posted by DrWilly

I read it very differently

We are familiar with your problems and understand you need a bit more help than others.

Originally Posted by hallelujah

No, it isn't.

There's a clue in the title of the thread and the opening line of the post (what may be called the topic sentence)..

which is the British council trying to catch up with the rest of the world.

gold standard CPD.

Dunno, never done one. Shud I?

I didn’t think ielts did decimals?

Originally Posted by DrWilly

Dunno, never done one. Shud I?

I didn’t think ielts did decimals?

I'm not sure you can do one when you're over 65.

Originally Posted by hallelujah

I'm not sure you can do one when you're over 65.

bastard. Dont they do mature age?

My thoughts exactly

Originally Posted by david44

Mancunian grab a granny night ,

Now that's a subject I can comprehensively understand and debate in.

Originally Posted by Joe 90

Now that's a subject I can comprehensively understand and debate in.

Like a Bell hop in a lift, you can take this to a hole nude level.I think the OP is on his knees praying Man Ure don't let four play past them at Ipzwitch