How do you encourage your student to use English outside the classroom? We know that it is very important for learners to practice using English of the classroom to improve their proficiency. A couple examples of what you can do are listed below.
One simple way to encourage English use outside the classroom is to “assign” it as homework. Often, when teaching about a topic in class, I would finish class by challenging the students ask a neighbor, coworker, or friend for their perspective or experience on a topic, or to try something out on their own. For example, if we are learning about job interviews in class, I finish class by challenging my students to ask their neighbor about how they got their job. I would also challenge students to try doing simple tasks, like ordering food at a drive thru or having a phone conversation in English. I then ask students to report back on what they did and how it went for them. It’s always exciting for the class to see a student succeed at doing a difficult task in English.
A more complex, project-based way to get students to use English outside the classroom is to have them create Digital Stories. Digital stories are stories narrated by the students themselves about an important event in their life. For a good example of a Digital Story created by an ESL student, click here. Many other great examples can be found online. Digital storytelling requires access to a recording device and a computer, but if you have access you should definitely try it out. The response from students is amazing when they finish creating their story and are able to show it to friends and family.
To learn more about Digital Storytelling, visit the Center for Digital Storytelling by clicking here.