Transforming language classes into bonded groups Export

@article{citeulike:3813051, abstract = {To date little attention has been paid to group processes in language classes. Applied linguistics researchers have preferred to examine classroom interaction from a pedagogic perspective, despite exhortations by various language teaching experts to examine social aspects as well (Breen 1985, Allwright and Bailey 1991, Prabhu 1992). A recent study by the author revealed that experienced language teachers perceive that it is important to develop and maintain a positive whole-group feeling among their students. Such teachers appear to have developed a range of personal behaviours which, when examined from a social psychological perspective, reveal an intuitive knowledge of how to foster and maintain a spirit of cohesion in their classes. In this paper the findings of the study are described, and relevant areas in the field of social psychology identified. Eight facets of the group development process in language classes are then discussed, and teachers are presented with a number of tactics which can be used to encourage the transformation of their classes into cohesive groups. 10.1093/elt/51.1.3}, author = {Senior, Rosemary}, citeulike-article-id = {3813051}, citeulike-linkout-0 = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/elt/51.1.3}, citeulike-linkout-1 = {http://eltj.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/51/1/3}, day = {1}, doi = {10.1093/elt/51.1.3}, journal = {ELT J}, keywords = {affect, bonding, community, groups, sla}, month = {January}, number = {1}, pages = {3--11}, posted-at = {2008-12-20 06:10:06}, priority = {2}, title = {Transforming language classes into bonded groups}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/elt/51.1.3}, volume = {51}, year = {1997} }

TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:3813051 L3 - citeulike-article-id:3813051 N2 - To date little attention has been paid to group processes in language classes. Applied linguistics researchers have preferred to examine classroom interaction from a pedagogic perspective, despite exhortations by various language teaching experts to examine social aspects as well (Breen 1985, Allwright and Bailey 1991, Prabhu 1992). A recent study by the author revealed that experienced language teachers perceive that it is important to develop and maintain a positive whole-group feeling among their students. Such teachers appear to have developed a range of personal behaviours which, when examined from a social psychological perspective, reveal an intuitive knowledge of how to foster and maintain a spirit of cohesion in their classes. In this paper the findings of the study are described, and relevant areas in the field of social psychology identified. Eight facets of the group development process in language classes are then discussed, and teachers are presented with a number of tactics which can be used to encourage the transformation of their classes into cohesive groups. 10.1093/elt/51.1.3 IS - 1 JF - ELT J EP - 11 TI - Transforming language classes into bonded groups VL - 51 SP - 3 KW - affect KW - bonding KW - community KW - groups KW - sla AU - Senior, Rosemary PY - 1997/01/01/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/elt/51.1.3 ER -