WORKING IN TEAMS: MAKING

COMMUNICATION TRULY FACE TO

FACE

Mextesol, Puebla

October 16th 2014

Christopher Bauer Bruns

Although technology plays an ever greater

role in language learning, the basic

concept of communication remains

fundamental.

Experts have concluded autonomy and strategies are key communication elements in the learning

process.

Working in teams and in pairs effectively, will help students reach their desired

level of autonomy.

• BenefitsAttack bigger problems in a short period of timeUtilize the collective experience of everyoneStudents increase speaking timeNo one can hideAccelerates the learning processThe class will be more dynamic

Team pros and cons

• RisksCommunication and coordination issuesGroupthink: diffusion of responsibility; going along Working by inertia; not planning aheadConflict or mistrust between team members

COORDINATIONUse this word to find as many words as you can.Three minutes time each.

A) Just one person B) Join in pairsC) In a group of four people

A) One person

• car, on, tip, operation, cap, at, near, rat, pear, pea, one, era, rate, on.

• Total 14 words

B) Pairs

• pen, ten, net, opera, pet, pro, eat, ate, tea, are, I, rain, rope, tan, ton, care, note, no!, poor, pan, Nat, pie, pet

• Total 23

• A + B = 37

C) Group of 4 people

• tin, part, rope, rape, corn, peace, tape, tip, cart, cent, nor, note, trip, actor, ran, tire, a, an, tie, type, part, paint, tam, or, can, are, tear.

• Total 28

• A + B + C = 65

R e s u l t s

- The students can have 4 times better results in the same time

- Their self esteem increases in the same proportion

- As teacher we can help them to develop their own competences

- The class will be fun and the students will want to come back.