Nothing works better than pictures when teaching languages. I have tried and experimented this many times and every time the result has been better with the better usage of related photos.
Graphics speak thousands times better than explanations.
Whether it is a basic level teaching simple vocabulary or advanced levels and teaching idioms and conceptual contexts, it always works the best.
Recently, I had been given a project to work on language teaching curriculum without being given clear instructions on our do's and don'ts. I decided to first go with explaining the grammar and using drills on power point files since the target learners were professional adults. But the more we went on, the more bored the students turned and even some disappeared from the class.
The learners were working adults coming home having the class online for two hours. I saw it of no use explaining the grammar to ones who were already tired from routine day time work. So I packed up everything and changed all the files, replacing them with more detailed photos and graphics, which not only were funny but also explanatory bythemselves. In class we started talking about the photos. From basic levels to higher advanced going through the detail on the photo. Not only their language proficiency turned out with better results but also there were more participation in class in the fields of Talking, Describing, Communicating, Analyzing and even debating.
I have been using many more means of direct form of language learning by multimedia, internet, graphics, and real hand on daily topics for many years now.
No grammar is taught separately and no more drill repetition is required in these classes.Every single topic is accesible and profound in meaning and usage. Classes are real, and the learners learn what they live and they live what they learn.
Coincidentally, I have also been focusing on the use of images with my students, although not for language learning! I agree with you that images can often say much more than we could with words. They are usually easier to remember, too.
ReplyDeleteSo it sounds like you are looking at how you design your lessons by integrating more meaningful images. Is there a way that technology can help you with this?