English Only

What is English Only

A style of immersionIn the Korean Context

All classroom instruction takes place in EnglishAll response takes place in EnglishAll work is completed in EnglishAll English all the time.

What Does that Mean

The teacher speaks English all the time

Students communicate with the teacher in EnglishActivities need to encourage the use of English as a communicative actCommunication should be encouraged not punished or limited

Is English Only the Best

Every environment is differentAssess your classroom

Do students spend more then 20% of the class time in groups or doing group work?Do students spend more then 20% of the time engaging each other in conversation?Does the content being learned easily lend itself to group activities that would involve students speaking in English?

If the answers are yes, English Only may be right for you.

English Only: When Not to…

There are times when English Only may not be necessary, consider the following:

Do students spend more then 50% of class time on a regular basis on work that requires little or no interaction with the teacher or with peers?Do students focus primarily on silent writing and reading exercises?Do students have little peer to peer interaction?

If the answer is yes, English Only may not be right for you.

Going English Only

You choose an English Only classroom. What do you need?

PolicyIt must apply to everyone who enters the classroom. It should be published and accessible by everyone who participates in the classroomAll teachers should adhere to the policy in your classroomBe consistent, make sure all student understand the policy

Considerations

With an English only possible, think about how and when it is okay to break the rules

Are there times that students need to speak Korean?What are acceptable uses of Korean?How can Korean be limited but respected as a part of the classroom?

The learner is the most important person in the classroom.

Does an English only policy truly support you learner?

English Only Classroom

Strategies

Teaching Practice

Effective English only classrooms requires supportive language teaching practices:

Presentation: Providing a context for language Introducing vocabulary, structures, and share language to learnersProviding scaffolding for successful lessonsUsing share languageUsing consistent, redundant and repetitive instructions to engage learners

Support English Only

Using a language teaching framework that supports English Only

Consider the frameworkConsider student learning

Optimize your classroom to build language use and support learners who are trying to use English

Using Share Language

Depending on the activity and level of student ability, consider the use of share language:

Supports DiscussionEncourages English useProvides Scaffolding for studnets

Provide Language

Don’t assume students will speak English just because it’s the policy.

Make language posters to make language access ableProvide students with scripts on worksheets or index cardsUse the white board for language reinforcement

Time

Time is precious for teachers and making posters and cards takes time. Don’t do it yourself!

You have a classroom full of helpersHave students make poster, cards, signs, and worksheets once a week or once a monthEncourages student ownership of the policy It’s fun break from routine

Sample Language

Here are some sample stems that might be excellent for posters in your environment:

Sentence Stems

I think …

It is …

This is …

That is …

I will …

I need …

I want …

I can …

I will …

We/he/she can …

Let’s …

Because…

Before…

After…

Next…

First, second,

third, last…

Question Stems

What is…?

What are…?

Who is…?

Where is…?

Can I …?

May I have…?

Will you…?

Will they…?

What do I do (first, second, third)

Can you repeat that?

Will you explain…?

What should I…?

When is…?

Where are…?

What will…?

Why?

Positive Reinforcement

Praise don’t punishNegative reinforcements turns students away from EnglishPositive Environments encourage speakingDistribute verbal praise for all attempts to speak English, even when it might not be perfectModel correct English to promote language production, rather then correcting misuse of Korean

Teaching Strategies

Be prepared to teach English onlyFind strategies and activities that all students can do in EnglishGraduate the difficulty of classroom activities to promote student successProvide language necessary for specific tasks to allow all students to be successfulMake sure students understand how English is the focus of the activity

Other Policy Supporters

Don’t keep the policy in your classroom only

Put up signs outside the classroomReminds everyone your space is an English Space

Request acceptance from colleaguesGet colleagues on board with policy

Tell AdministrationLet administration know about the policy.

English Only

Final thoughts

English Only

There is no best practice for you classroom, your classroom practice the best for you!

Choose what works and be consistentIf it’s your policy, stick to it all the time

Support your studentsGive them tools to be successful

Be creativeFind ways that make it work for youA creative and flexible English classroom will always be more successful then on that is to rigid

Questions

sldavila@gmail.comVisit Online: http://www.saradavila.com Copy of this presentation and others at:

http://www.saradavila.com/english

Points System

Use a points system to encourage EnglishIncorporates natural competitiveness in a positive way

Only provide points for speaking in EnglishDo not take away points for speaking KoreanReward points loudly and noticeablyHave students keep track of points on a long term basisProvide rewards for points over time, not immediately

Remember, at some time everyone should be a winner