"Oh, no! Do we really have to work in pairs?"
Actually, while I was skimming over some information about teaching methods I face this question:
Do students have to work in pairs?
Some teachers say:
"My students don't like working in pairs or groups."
"Pair work is fun, but what are my students learning?"
"There are too many students in my class for group work."
We have been using pair and group work in classroom activities because some exercises need pair work like doing a blank-filling exercise or a multiple-choice quiz. Discussing the possible answers and trying to reach agreement is a really good way of using English to communicate ideas. It is suggested that pair and group work does seem to be the most effective way.
It is true that the classroom is the only place the students speak English. In fact, the larger the class is the great the need to work in pairs and groups. Otherwise hardly anyone gets a chance to speak in English class.
One of my colleagues earlier asked about the best way of teaching a pieces of writing. This is might be good way.
“Discuss topics in small groups, not as a whole class. This gives more students a chance to give their opinions, rather than saying or thinking "I agree with what he just said." Many students feel shy about talking in front of the whole class, and feel more relaxed and confident in a small group, and everyone can have their say without pressures of time or embarrassment. After students have written a composition for homework, put them into small groups and ask them to read each other's work and comment on it. Any piece of writing should be an attempt to communicate ideas to a reader. If students know that their peers are going to read their work, they're more likely to try to make it interesting, informative and entertaining! If you are the only reader, the process of writing is much less motivating. So it is a good strategy in teaching writing”.
But is this technique working with our students???
"My students talk in Omani when they're in pairs."
When we discuss a topic with the students, they may be motivated and enjoy participating in the discussion. Since they do not know how to make a simple sentence, they may switch into Arabic because they are frustrated and not being able to express themselves easily in English. When this happens, we as trainee might find it helpful to remind them that every member of the class has a common aim: to improve their English. We always say “If students want to develop their fluency and confidence, so that in real life they can communicate in English, then the only way they can do it is by communicating with each other in English -- in pairs and in groups and please stop using Arabic”
I believe that this is not their mistake because they used to talk in Arabic in their pervious levels. They may switch into Arabic because the activity is too difficult or too confusing for them.
1- Can we say that work in pairs is a useless strategy with our students???
They are overcrowded, and it is too difficult to talk to each one in class.
2- Do we have to leave out this strategy?
If the answer yes, what other methods we can use.
If the answer is no, what are the ways of getting around this problem?
Actually, while I was skimming over some information about teaching methods I face this question:
Do students have to work in pairs?
Some teachers say:
"My students don't like working in pairs or groups."
"Pair work is fun, but what are my students learning?"
"There are too many students in my class for group work."
We have been using pair and group work in classroom activities because some exercises need pair work like doing a blank-filling exercise or a multiple-choice quiz. Discussing the possible answers and trying to reach agreement is a really good way of using English to communicate ideas. It is suggested that pair and group work does seem to be the most effective way.
It is true that the classroom is the only place the students speak English. In fact, the larger the class is the great the need to work in pairs and groups. Otherwise hardly anyone gets a chance to speak in English class.
One of my colleagues earlier asked about the best way of teaching a pieces of writing. This is might be good way.
“Discuss topics in small groups, not as a whole class. This gives more students a chance to give their opinions, rather than saying or thinking "I agree with what he just said." Many students feel shy about talking in front of the whole class, and feel more relaxed and confident in a small group, and everyone can have their say without pressures of time or embarrassment. After students have written a composition for homework, put them into small groups and ask them to read each other's work and comment on it. Any piece of writing should be an attempt to communicate ideas to a reader. If students know that their peers are going to read their work, they're more likely to try to make it interesting, informative and entertaining! If you are the only reader, the process of writing is much less motivating. So it is a good strategy in teaching writing”.
But is this technique working with our students???
"My students talk in Omani when they're in pairs."
When we discuss a topic with the students, they may be motivated and enjoy participating in the discussion. Since they do not know how to make a simple sentence, they may switch into Arabic because they are frustrated and not being able to express themselves easily in English. When this happens, we as trainee might find it helpful to remind them that every member of the class has a common aim: to improve their English. We always say “If students want to develop their fluency and confidence, so that in real life they can communicate in English, then the only way they can do it is by communicating with each other in English -- in pairs and in groups and please stop using Arabic”
I believe that this is not their mistake because they used to talk in Arabic in their pervious levels. They may switch into Arabic because the activity is too difficult or too confusing for them.
1- Can we say that work in pairs is a useless strategy with our students???
They are overcrowded, and it is too difficult to talk to each one in class.
2- Do we have to leave out this strategy?
If the answer yes, what other methods we can use.
If the answer is no, what are the ways of getting around this problem?
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