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Teaching, Learning, Leading CONFERENCE 2005 |
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MaryAnn Christison Using Learning Theory and Research to Create Effective EFL Instruction |
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| What does effective language teaching look like? Are there some essential commonalities that underpin optimal English language instruction regardless of the context? What classroom teaching strategies work best in an EFL classroom? Are there some universal principles that we should follow? It is natural to look to research for the answers; yet how do findings from research make their way into English language classrooms? Questions like those above and the issues they raise are central to the ELT profession. We are always eager to have these questions answered; yet, busy language teachers seldom have time to actually find the answers they are seeking. This paper will focus on two decades of research from, SLA, education and learning theory. She distills the results into broad teaching strategies that are known to have positive effects on student learning.. The list and the individual teaching strategies may not be new, but collectively, these strategies can make a big difference in outcomes for language learners. Christison will provide rubrics, organizers, and charts to help teachers plan and implement the teaching strategies suggested. Research-based teaching keeps the focus on creating optimal learning environments for all learners regardless of country or context in which English is being taught. | |
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Biodata: Dr. Mary Ann Christison is a professor in the Linguistics Department at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City in the USA. She teaches courses in the graduate M.A. and Ph.D. programs and coordinates the K-12 teacher education program for ESL certification and endorsement. She is the author of over 75 published and refereed articles on language teaching and second language research and 15 books including Multiple Intelligences and Second Language Learning, Look Who's Talking, Community Spirit, Purple Cows and Potato Chips, Drawing Out, Becoming a Language Teacher, and a Handbook for Language Program Administrators. She has also authored a teacher education course on audio tapes entitled TREATS. Christison was TESOL President 1997-98, served on the Board of Directors for TIRF, the TESOL International Research Foundation. She has been a classroom teacher for 32 years and a teacher educator for 20 years, working with EFL teachers in over 20 different countries. She has taught English language learners at all levels and all ages. |