Innovative+Elt+techniques+for+summer

I want to refer to Burcu Akyol’s blog to introduce an innovative Elt technique that we can use with different learner profiles in Turkey and another for teenagers / adult learners. As the summer is coming, I wanted to introduce ‘ summer learning ideas and techniques’. She makes the introduction by referring to the families as they will be teachers for their children and 3 months holiday is a long period. Parents have great importance in terms of children spend an efficient holiday.

One of the techniques is ‘Read together’

Before bed time or during midday when it is harmful for children to be around under the sun, families can read together with their children by structuring the environment such as prepearing a reading corner in the garden. They can read and the children can act aut or children can make up a summary or vice versa. They should reread their reading materials from school so that children make a repetition of what they have learned. The families’ contribution is very motivating for the children. I think it is very applicable as Turkish students need their parents contribution in terms of reading as the curriculum do not support reading too much. Some suggestions for parents may be getting the books suitable for their childrens’ level. I think it is suitable for all level of students to spend time with their families by reading and if their level or age is high, they can read different books and discuss on what they have read. Thus, they can improve their analytical thinking and discussion skills. One weakness may be that the students at adolescence may not want to spend time with their families. However, families can structure the desirable environment.

Second technique is ‘Music’

The ‘music technique’ is also very useful for both parents and students in terms of spending time with the language. Nowadays, everyone has computers and technological devices they can listen to music. If the child’s level is beginner or elementary, parents can have access to websites which have songs and videos which are very educative in terms of implicit grammar teaching and vocabulary use. They can memorize the lyrics of the songs and sing the songs together, which would help them learn the structures and chunks of the language. In addition, adolescents and adult learners like to listen to the music. Every teenage listens to the music. They, especially, like popular foreign languages. Parents can play the song time to time so that they will get acquainted with the song, the lyrics, the vocabulary items such as chunks and structures. Parents can give Cd’s and cassettes of popular singers. Teachers use the songs and videos in the classes and students enjoy themselves. We even like such interactive lessons. It is a way of getting familiar with the language and carries importance.


 *  The techniques mentioned above are very creative and useful for language learners. They are enjoyable and more appropriate for young learners. They may be made as hobbies to spend time efficiently and avoid the children from wasting their time in holidays. Especially, the first technique is not only enjoyable but also is much more applicable in Turkish family background. Every family has a good idea about reading book and supports their children in terms of financing at least if they do not have the habit of reading. The first technique is much more convenient for Turkish families than the second technique because older generations generally do not like music. If they like, they may not want to sing the song together with their children. However, new generations and families internalized these techniques and can adapt to their family life. The language can be learnt easily in natural environment and in enjoyable way. These two techniques provide the language learning in a positive and efficient way. **


 * Seher SELLİ **


 * Comment by Ayça AKDEMİR **

==== The first technique is very effective way to learn new language if the family agree to implement it in their lives. Through reading, children can learn new vocabulary and grammar structures in the context. They also gain different perspectives by reading about different cultures. In this technique, the family plays an important role motivating their children to read more. Nowadays, children spend their most of time in front of the computer without connection to the real life so I think this technique can minimize the distance between the family and their children. The second technique is very suitable for the young learners who seek entertainment in the process of learning since the music create an attractive and enjoyable environment for young learners. They can feel relax themselves while listening to the music. Also, the young learners cannot learn the topic deductively and they should form their own meaning making connections inductively. That's why, the music are very effective for this aim because they create a context for the covered topic. The context in the music helps them visualize the plot, if there is any. Both the rhythm of the music and the context in the music contribute long term memory of the young learners, which provides them with permanent learning.====

Comment By Ebru Bertan

Both techniques are beneficial for young learners, but just music is appropriate for adult and teenage learners. For the first technique, it is a little bit hard to read with the whole family in day time. If the families are working families, they cannot do this activity. We also take the rate of reading in Turkey into consideration. As it is very low, it is a very high demand to expect them to read with their children. However, it would be wonderful if we could make it real. For the second technique, it is very helpful for ELT. Songs are cheerful so it makes students more keen on the subject. When students learn the song and repeat it frequently, they also repeat and learn the structures and the vocabulary items in the song.