Total Fluency Method
- The balanced use of these 3 parts of language training is a key for our classes.
- Many schools might focus on tutorials (input), lack of practise (output) and immersion (multimedia). Or some classes might be like “English Corners” that do not deliver learning results. On the other hand, many students might learn on Apps without the chances and ability to listen and respond in real time.
- We like to address to those issues by blending the 3 key elements of language learning into each of our lessons.
Bringing a room of strangers together, it’s the teacher’s role to help everyone get to their comfort level to be able to enjoy the interactions.
Tutorials is the focus of what you want to teach your students in this lesson. Lessons plans are set, achieve the learning focus before doing a lot of practise.
It’s important for everyone to speak and practise, we design activities for students to have something holding in their hands, and talking to different classmates.
Online interactive games like Kahoot or Quizlet have always been a winner in our lesson. Bringing some competitiveness and fun to the class.
Feel free to engage your students with videos, songs, snacks or objects of your culture, infuse the lessons with the cultural flavor.
Homework could be simple, audio or writing, but encourage them to submit them on what’sapp group, you could call it peer pressure, or peer encouragement.
What works?
The main demographic of our students is 18+ adult learners. Most of them are either professionals or university students. They are autonomous and goal oriented. But they might be tired after a weekday or work week. They are not vases to be filled with knowledge, try not to “TEACH” them too much. Rather, engage them, bring their energy level up, have fun in two hours.
Lastly, students like to be social, so we create a friendly social atmosphere for them. We encourage them to have conversations with others, we encourage them to feel comfortable and at east, so they can crack their own jokes.
Here is a summary of what works for a DA class:
- Open, fun and sociable classroom
- DO NOT lecture, engage them with variety of activities
- Well-paced, not too overwhelming
- Encouraging not judging
- Pair works with different classmates
- Play fun games from time to time
- Review well at the beginning and the end of the lesson
- Share interesting stories of Chinese culture, food, songs, gossips
- Encourage students to join the cultural events organised by DA