Humanistic Teaching

An approach to learning English

Chris Hunt

The Wise Hat

Here is a simple idea for stimulating curiosity. Get two big envelopes.. In the past I have used folder envelopes that are fastened by string wound around a button. It's not necessary to use anything as fancy but the envelopes should be clearly different so that they are easy to vote on. Put an Activity card into each envelope. By this I mean a flashcard demonstrating a game to be played. Alternatively, put a different worksheet into each envelope or even a worksheet into one and an Activity card into the other.

Show the envelopes to the class and get them to vote upon which envelope they want to open. Open the envelope, show the contents and use them. That's it! Never use both envelopes in the same lesson. If the class want to know what is in the other envelope tell them, "Another time!"

In case you are wondering, a vote is a kind of competition. Students don't know what they are voting for, unless you give hints, but still, in a straight vote the majority wins and the minority looses. I don't think this is optimum, so voting will be the subject for a future column

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How interesting! While reading this article, I was picturing the look of my students and how they would interact in, no matter how minimum their English is. Thank you.

endah | April 1, 2009 10:10 PM

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