Using anecdotes in EFL classes!
Question 1.
On friday i was teaching to intermediate students and we had superstitions. I used an anecdote to attract their attention and to involve them in participating in class discussion. After i finished, everyone wanted to share their experiences. It was one of the classes that i have enjoyed more lately. Students listened carefully and asked questions to each other. I can say that the anecdote can serve like an ice-breaker or a warm-up activity.
I have used anecdotes before, but i never thought how important they were to maintain a good relationship with the students.
Question 3.
You the teacher today!
I don’t know if other teachers in Albania are doing this but i use this technique usually with my students.I let them be the teacher for a certain activity. For example when we have extra exercises with young students i let them check their friends, so at the same time i give them autonomy, responsibility and i check the same student how prepared he is. My students love this and they can’t wait to practice this activity. We do this in turns that all can have an opportunity to show how “a good techer they are”. I learned that they were better prepared and more effective when i did this.
Having students “teach” an exercise is an excellent way to motivate them to learn. After all, researchers say we remember UP TO 10% when we listen to something, 20% when we listen and see it, but up 80% when we teach it. This would be an excellent area to explore with motivation, and you would have time to test it in class during the next few weeks