During this year’s Open House, our ESL teachers focussed on giving parents a unique opportunity to experience English class alongside their children by participating in hands-on activities like centres and games.
Each class began with a brief introduction, including a little about the learning skills we’ve been developing this year, such as responsibility and independence, as well as some important items to be aware of.
1. “You may hear mistakes.”
Mistakes are part of the learning process! Instead of always correcting mistakes, in our class we build confidence using English by encouraging each other to always try their best. ESL class is a place to take risks and grow over time.
2. “It will be loud.”
Traditional methods may view laughing and talking with each other as interfering with focus and learning. Not so in our class! Talking is good because it means we are speaking English and growing in our confidence using it. It also means we are having fun and enjoying learning. Sometimes it might look busy and chaotic because we are working on different things at the same times, but we've developed our routines through practice and are also learning responsibility in the process.
3. “You will hear English and Chinese.”
We’re still learning English, and even though we try our best to use as much English as we can, sometimes we need to use our first language to help support our English learning - and that’s okay!
Grades 1 and 2