arousal in the esl classroom

“Arousal” in the ESL Classroom

Tamara Jones

jonestamara@hotmail.com

SHAPE Language Center

“arousal”=

the easiest way to learn

Learning can now be seen with a microscope!

Learning and the Brain

• Neurons hold information

• Dendrite branches projectfrom the neuron

• As we learn, we grow moredendrite branches

• Synapses are located atvarious places in the dendrite branches

Thinking and Learning

• Synapses fire electrical impulses joining dendrite branches = THINKING

• Repeated firing leading to stronger connections between dendrite branches = LEARNING

Practice = Learning(Shocking, isn’t it?)

motivation attention arousal

How to “arouse” your ESL students …

10 GREAT GAMES!

The Board Game

• review almost anything!

• practice any grammar structure

• go over individual sounds, word stress, or intonation

• provide conversation topics

• review vocabulary words

• practice reading skills

The Card Match Game

• quickly warm up or get students into pairs or partners

• review vocabulary or idioms

• practice minimal pairs & other pronunciation

• practice grammar items

The Dice Game

• review anything

• practice grammar

• check answers from book work or hand outs

• summarize of what was covered in class that day

The Dot Game

• review anything

• practice grammar, pronunciation, reading, listening, or writing skills

• check answers from book work or hand outs

• summarize of what was covered in class that day

The Flyswatter Game

• reinforce vocabulary

• practice pronunciation of minimal pairs

• quickly review

• warm up

Joanne’s Line Up Game

• reinforce vocabulary

• review target pronunciation (word stress, consonant and vowel sounds, linking)

• grammar corrections or gap fills

The M&M Game• break the ice

• review vocabulary

• promote conversation

• practice different reading skills

• review parts of a sentence or different grammar structures

• brainstorm about different topics

The Playdoh Game

• review vocabulary

• to practice idioms

• to practice verb forms

• for fun!!

The Correction Game

• complete hand outs or book work

• work on error location activities

• practice spelling

The Hot Seat

• reinforce vocabulary

• practice word stress

• practice grammar forms

• practice idioms

What makes a Good Game?

• Not stressful

• Involves movement

• Reviews previous material

• Encourages ALL students to participate

FUN!

“When we teach, we are changing the form of the brain.”

Janet Zadina

Thank you for you interest!

Tamara JonesSHAPE Language Center

jonestamara@hotmail.com