How Visual Aids Can Help When Teaching a Foreign Language.
How visual aids can help when teaching a foreign language.
1 Visual aids provide a practical solution for teachers whose equipment can consist of nothing more than a few books and a classroom. They include black-boards, laptops, charts and posters, pictures, magazines, flash-cards and actual objects or ‘realia’. These teaching aids, and the ways in which they help the teacher are discussed below.
Blackboard/whiteboard:
In schools throughout the world, this piece of equipment is the chief mainstay for the language teacher. It is essential that it is used properly. Teachers use the board to clarify certain points, and to test pupils understanding of a lesson. They must thoroughly consider what is written on it, as this information will be implanted in their students’ minds.
Do:
- Write as quickly and clearly as you can and always prepare the text beforehand.
- Stand sideways and maintain eye contact making sure you are not obstructing the students’ sight of the board.
- When writing have them repeat key words and phrases at each pause.
- Underline important features or use different coloured chalk/pens.
Don’t:
- Spend a long time at the board (this can lead to restlessness and boredom amongst learners).
- Write with your back to the class (pupils will chat with each other).
- Forget to constantly interact with your students.
Drawings should also be used whenever possible, in presenting language items, illustrating stories, explaining vocabularies and acting as cues for language practice. You don’t need to be a great artist to draw on the board since the drawings are best kept simple, showing only important details. Stick people, simple objects and faces with different expressions can become part of your repertoire.
Laptop computers:
Today’s laptop computers are relatively cheap, sturdy, are multi functional and have the capability for enormous storage capacity. This tool is considered as useful if not more so than any other piece
1 Visual aids provide a practical solution for teachers whose equipment can consist of nothing more than a few books and a classroom. They include black-boards, laptops, charts and posters, pictures, magazines, flash-cards and actual objects or ‘realia’. These teaching aids, and the ways in which they help the teacher are discussed below.
Blackboard/whiteboard:
In schools throughout the world, this piece of equipment is the chief mainstay for the language teacher. It is essential that it is used properly. Teachers use the board to clarify certain points, and to test pupils understanding of a lesson. They must thoroughly consider what is written on it, as this information will be implanted in their students’ minds.
Do:
- Write as quickly and clearly as you can and always prepare the text beforehand.
- Stand sideways and maintain eye contact making sure you are not obstructing the students’ sight of the board.
- When writing have them repeat key words and phrases at each pause.
- Underline important features or use different coloured chalk/pens.
Don’t:
- Spend a long time at the board (this can lead to restlessness and boredom amongst learners).
- Write with your back to the class (pupils will chat with each other).
- Forget to constantly interact with your students.
Drawings should also be used whenever possible, in presenting language items, illustrating stories, explaining vocabularies and acting as cues for language practice. You don’t need to be a great artist to draw on the board since the drawings are best kept simple, showing only important details. Stick people, simple objects and faces with different expressions can become part of your repertoire.
Laptop computers:
Today’s laptop computers are relatively cheap, sturdy, are multi functional and have the capability for enormous storage capacity. This tool is considered as useful if not more so than any other piece