them aware of using English as much as possible and using their first language as little as possible . v The classroom will get very noisy . This is OK , as long as they aren ’ t shouting . Move them into different places in the room so that they can hear themselves speak .
How to set up pair and group work : v Be sure to fully explain the procedure before splitting the class up . v Always demonstrate either yourself or with the help of a volunteer exactly what they have to do . v Ask them to tell you what they have to do before they do it ( in their mother tongue if need be ) to check their understanding . v Have fill in activities ready for the quick finishers – but be sure that they have completed the task correctly first and haven ’ t just finished early because they misunderstood what they had to do . v Don ’ t forget to have feedback time after pair work so that the children don ’ t feel that they have been wasting time . It ’ s important to share their work as a whole group although this doesn ’ t have to be systematic . v Set a clear time limit . v Control who works with who so children aren ’ t always being dominated or dominating .
Arranging pairs and groups One challenge is setting up the pairs or groups . Here are some suggestions : v Pair or group Ss by different language proficiency levels . Pairing stronger students with less proficient ones allows peer teaching to take place . Less proficient students often feel more comfortable asking questions of a classmate rather than of the teacher . The stronger student is challenged by having to explain the material . v Pair or group students randomly . To form random groups , try any of the following : v Have students count off ( e . g ., from 1 to 4 ). All the “ 1s ” form a group , all the “ 2s ,” and so on . v Write numbers on slips of paper and mix them up . Students draw slips and work with students with the next number ( e . g ., S1 and S2 , S3 and S4 ) or set of numbers ( e . g ., Ss 1 to 4 form a group , Ss 5 to 8 , and so on ). v Have students form groups by what they are wearing , such as a particular colour . v Allow students to group themselves . The danger with this , however , is that friends will form pairs or groups and speak about personal things as opposed to doing the activity . v Regardless of the arrangement you use , vary pair and group members often . Thus , students can interact with most of or all of their classmates , thereby building a class .
Using a variety of seating arrangements and groupings of students is important as it allows learners to practice different types of things . Working with others gives students the opportunity to interact with a variety of people and learn from one another . It also encourages cooperation which will help students get along in class and could reduce the number of student outbursts too . If students are competing with their partners , they
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