Hello team!
Yesterday's class about the different teaching methods was quite interesting to me. During the times I was not doing the sleepy head nods (sorry Marc! It's been hectic lately with few hours of sleep!) I found myself reflecting back on my years of work with various teachers and the methods they use to engage their students.
Then I started thinking about my present work as and Education Assistant at an elementary school, specifically one particular student. This kid is awesome. He came from Italy to Canada three years ago. His younger sister attends the same school. The first year they came I would just greet them with a big smile and a high five. Last year this student was in my class. He would never speak in class even when prompted by our awesome, easy-going, and fun class teacher. It was challenging getting him to do work and I think it was because he didn't clearly understand the lesson. On the playground he plays soccer and other sports as a normal kid, he just doesn't speak with his freinds.
This year he is in my class again. He still doesn't speak in class. His sister however speaks fluently and interacts normally with her peers and teachers. When I pass by his desk he is writing quite well in English so I know that this year is a huge improvement in terms of him understanding the assignments and putting in effort for the written assignments. He will speak with this music teacher privately one to one but not in front of the class. The music teacher is frustrated that he doesn't speak in front of class and she gives him zero class points until he speaks up. In my opinion I think that pressure creates more anxiety but how long do we wait for him to feel comfortable?
His mom tells me that I am the only staff member that he is comfortable with however I have to prompt him to speak very simple phrases such as "good morning." This simple task is quite a challenge. When he does speak with me he's very timid and quiet. His ELL teacher informs me that he speaks regularly in his small group of other ELL students. Last week we started putting him in small groups of 3 with other fluent English speaking students to ease him into speaking in front of a large class. The first session he wouldn't speak at all. Today he had some small minor success and said a couple of words to this small group.
So! To my team of ELL instructors I ask what thoughts, ideas and/or strategies would you use for students who are selective mutes? This is a real life scenario and your suggestions may be implemented and help this awesome kid out!
Thanks guys and have a great Thanksgiving!
Rod
Wow...that's a very interesting situation Rod.
ReplyDeleteIf I think about what I would, one thought comes to mind. I would get him to record himself speaking and then play that recording to his teachers/friends. For example, invite him to answer a series of questions based on a book or reading assignment. Then he could privately record himself. Also, he could record himself reading a book. He needs to get used to the sound of his own voice speaking English.
Let me know how that works out.
Thanks Marc. I will try this in the coming weeks and let you know how it goes.
DeleteCheers,
Rod
Thanks Marc. I will try this in the coming weeks and let you know how it goes.
DeleteCheers,
Rod
Hi Rod,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. I have an idea about this child's problem. I found as you said his good is English, if so I think he needs to be in a situation in which he can help someone. I say manage a group of very weak students and you as the only one who he trusts in ask him if he helps you to improve their English. I think the major problem of this child is lack of self-esteem, and the only way we can help those with low or lack of self-esteem is preparing a situation for them in which they feel they are useful in helping the others. You can create a condition in which he really thinks about improving their problem and in this way he probably moves out from his cave of loneliness.
Thanks Again,
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHello Nadia,
Deletethanks for the idea. I think I know a situation where he can help an international student from Korea. Perhaps I will combine Marc's reading and recording idea along with your idea in some way.
I'll see you in class soon!
Rod
Hello Nadia,
Deletethanks for the idea. I think I know a situation where he can help an international student from Korea. Perhaps I will combine Marc's reading and recording idea along with your idea in some way.
I'll see you in class soon!
Rod
Wow Rod thats such an amazing experience that you have shared and I can imagine as a teacher it must be very challenging to make the student break his shell and come forth. I have a few ideas that i must like to share, first and foremost I am sure that we all have to agree that selective mutism is actually a severe anxiety disorder and usually is caused either due to family history of anxiety or most commonly due to environmental factors. I read a few articles that state that these students usually go mute in an environment they feel threatened in. So not speaking actually makes them feel less anxious and more at peace. A few things that as a teacher we can do are based on creating a safe environment for him where the kid doesn't feel judged or under pressure. Depending on the severity of the condition I don't think involving a psychologist is a bad idea either. An other thing that can involve the student can be a reward system where he can be rewarded for taking baby steps like including this with what Marc suggested and Nadia's great insight to as little as when he greets you, praise and reward should go a great way.
ReplyDeleteAlso another thing will be as a teacher making fun of ourselves letting them feel that it is okay to make mistakes and one can just laugh at it and forget all about it.
I hope my ideas help you Rod, I will try and share some books with you about this so you can read more about it.
good luck
Vipasha
Hi Vipasha,
DeleteYes I totally agree with you on the praise part, that definitely goes a long way. Showing students that it is okay to make mistakes is also a good method to reduce student anxiety.
See you in class soon Vipasha!
Rod
Excellent observations Rod. It is beautiful that you can scribe an inspirational story to enlighten your classmates for solutions. I admire your passion and patience in striving for a positive and successive learning strategy for this young chap.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned he is very good in written skills and would like him to break the code of silence. So, why not encourage his confidence is the sport he loves - soccer. Use the sport to fuel his confidence and it might get him to speak more. Try mapping a lesson plan using soccer metaphors and have him in charge of a special project that makes him the lead to, perhaps, answer questions on soccer. This way he will have to respond to students questions and concerns.
It's worth a try mate.
Cheers,
Baljit
Yes Baljit,
DeleteGreat suggestion. I like involving things with neuro linguistic programming; mixing a liked activity with one that needs improvement to instill positive feelings towards the learning.
See you in class Baljit!
Rod
Hi Rod,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this story with us. Have you ever tried singing? If he's already studying music, he might be reached on a more emotional level with a pop song or artist that he admires. I wouldn't single him out for a solo, but he might start singing along if others were doing so, perhaps as part of a game or sing-a-long. Music therapy has produced some pretty impressive results for releasing anxiety and helping people get centered in their bodies.
I was also wondering if simple yes/no or easy one word answers might be a gentle way to get him used to hearing his english speaking voice. You could start one-on-one and gradually increase the size of the group. If you created a fun trivia game, he might find himself competitively motivated in his quest for glory and fabulous prizes.