As English teachers we do so much more than help our students learn a new language. Most days we are also caregivers, psychologists, disciplinarians and even comedians. Regardless of their age, nationality, and culture, English students look up to their teachers as people who have achieved their dreams. As you play your starring roles, you cannot underestimate the power of a simple act of kindness. With the sustainability of our world at stake, this includes showing kindness to the earth. Whether at home or abroad, teachers of English have the capacity to make a difference on a global scale. You can help TEFL.net do its bit by sharing thoughts, ideas and comments on how you’re “keeping it green” in the classroom.
“The human mind and body have an automatic relaxation response to the colour green. Green is linked to relaxation. Relaxation is related to creativity.” Kelly S. Stone, Thinking Write
Is this true? Could green really be an answer to the stress (and even boredom) that seeps into the closed doors of our homes, classrooms, and office spaces?
A few years ago I did a walk about in my own home and noticed that all of my houseplants looked as if they had been tortured. I had a mass funeral service for the whole collection and vowed to introduce plants back into my house only when my own children didn’t need 24 hour service. After reading about the relaxing and creative power of green this Mother’s Day, I realized that removing all greenery from my home may have been a mistake. After all, the word “green” comes from the Old English word “growen”: to grow.
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Though many people have begun carrying reusable bottles and cups for both hot and cold beverages, many have not. ESL students and teachers consume mass amounts of bottled water and take-out coffee products every school day.
Some churches, conferences, and businesses are now banning bottled water, so why not classrooms? Would your school administration consider having a coffee pot in the lounge? Students and staff can take turns bringing in supplies to share. If the water is not safe for drinking at your school, why not invest in an environmentally friendly water cooler? Make it an English only water cooler, and remind students that the water cooler is a great place to practise small talk.
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Children and adults enjoy performing skits in class. Break away from the ordinary by encouraging your students to revise traditional fairytales, myths, and moral tales by adding a touch of green. You can go about this in two different ways, depending on the level and age of your students.
1. (For younger or lower level students) Divide the class and bring in enough skits or one act plays for your students to perform. (Visit your local library to find skits.) Instruct students to adapt their scripts (and characters) by adding environmental issues,
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Encouraging young people to care for the earth is like telling them to do their homework; it works best when you don’t sound preachy. One way to make earth friendliness fun is by organizing a trash clean up day at your local park. To avoid the complaints, call it a “twenty-minute makeover” and remind learners that it’s a break from sitting in class.
What’s that Trash?
Using realia in the classroom is a great way to help learners remember vocabulary that they might not find in books. Finding realia outside of the classroom is even better. On a nice day, walk your students down to the nearest park or schoolyard. Take two large garbage
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Though we waste more time, money, and resources buying stickers, certificates, and trinkets for young learners, older learners also need motivation. Many adult learners are satisfied with intrinsic rewards (such as being able to explain a grammar point or define a word from a reading). However many adults thrive on a challenge and most long for recognition. This doesn’t mean you have to buy comic books, junkfood, or pocket dictionaries for winning teams or older students who make drastic improvements. There are a number of non-material ways to reward adult learners
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Teachers use reward systems for a good reason. They work. Rewards motivate learners to work hard, behave well, and get along with others. They also make students happy, and happy makes the world go round. But where do all of those treasure chest trinkets, stickers, and certificates end up when the students get home?
If you’re a parent like me, you know that stickers end up stuck to the inside of your washing machine or tub, tiny toys find their way into the mouths of younger siblings, and fridge material (other than the odd scrapbook keepsake) inevitably ends up in the trash or blue box.
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Photo: MyEC member Ariel
It could be argued that teaching English to Young Learners is one of the most important jobs in the world today. Research shows that the best time to learn a new language is in the early years. Regardless of whether your students are EFL or not, most preschool teachers use music to reinforce new language and concepts. Whether you’re teaching the months of the year, or the importance of cleaning up, catchy tunes help kids remember what they have been taught.
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The TEFL industry uses a lot of paper. Shall we count the ways?
1. Photocopied worksheets
2. Tests and quizzes
3. Lesson plans
4. Record keeping
5. Strips and game pieces
6. Notes for subs
7. Newsletters
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Is this true? Could green really be an answer to the stress (and even boredom) that seeps into the closed doors of our homes, classrooms, and office spaces?