Students enrolling in French and German language courses are declining at an alarming rate. Recent studies by GCSE demonstrated that, “The number of students taking French and German this year are both just more than half the number in 1999” (GCSE results: Trends explained: Retrieved, August 24, 2010). Making learning fun motivates learners to stay engaged and aids in retention. “Ziggy Liaquat, managing director of the Edexcel exam board, said the decrease in languages was ‘disappointing’. There is a conversation to be had about how we do make languages more engaging, more interesting, more relevant for young people,” he said.
Teachers utilize various methods and techniques, and the best teachers use a wide variety. My friend Jessica is a first grade teacher who begins every lesson with a song that relates to the day’s lesson. Listening to Shakira was one of Mrs. Level, my Spanish teacher’s, favorite ways of bringing the classroom to life. Other techniques teachers used was making lessons fun by relating real life experiences, relevant current events and incorporating videos from the country (my Spanish teacher’s favorites were Destinos, Selena and Babe).
Integrating technology into the classroom can easily make learning more engaging. One way to do this is by using an online supplemental resources (such as TELL ME MORE) to give students a way to practice their vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation skills. Additionally, they can learn about the history and culture of the language being studied outside the classroom.
Teachers are also using Facebook to create thought-provoking discussions. A great resource on this is “100 Ways You Should Be Using Facebook in Your Classroom”. Two of my personal favorite pages are Having Fun Teaching and Worldcat (which is a database for “items in a library near you”).
With competition for students’ attention at an all-time high, it’s essential to capture students’ interest and gain more students in language classes. Some students avoid learning a language because they don’t want it to lower their GPA. “John Dunford, head of the Association of School and College Leaders, said pupils [are] avoiding languages because they are harder than other [courses].” Teachers can combat this idea by making their class so exciting that it generates buzz around your school, which, in turn, increases enrollment.
What techniques do you suggest to make learning fun and engaging?
