Mod 1 Discussion: Classroom Implications of Linguistic Theory

Creating a low-stress classroom environment that encourages discussion, student collaboration, and allows for mistakes is key for ELL student confidence and language learning. 

A language-rich classroom that uses content-specific tools (globes, maps, diagrams, etc…) is also important. “By pairing verbal and nonverbal channels of communication, words and meanings become more accessible, forming the basis for the learner to construct the new language system for herself.“ This approach helps ELL students connect words to their meanings more effectively.

As teachers, we naturally do so much correcting, but we need to keep in mind that every student speech error does not need correction. Allowing students to make and learn from mistakes encourages experimentation and growth, which are essential aspects of language learning.