Humanistic Teaching

An approach to learning English

The most effective kind of education is that a child should play amongst lovely things.

Plato

Well a week has rolled by and a title for this week's entry remains elusive. If you got all the way to the end of the previous entry you will know that I wrote about improving performance but had my doubts about the phrase. It's too overt. It's not very humanistic. It invites evaluation. Lurking behind the phrase, I feel, is the notion of ranking. It moves learning in the direction of science and sport when all too often it needs to remain in the realms of imagination and play.

To see what I mean, think for a moment about a baby learning to walk. Before a baby walks it first crawls on all fours. Most babies can get up an impressive turn of speed crawling whereas walking remains uncertain for quite a while and all too often involves taking a tumble. Yet babies persevere. I very much doubt that babies spend any time at all evaluating their progress. I think if they did many babies would be on all fours much, much longer.

When we use terms like "improving performance" we are focusing on the result whereas learning comes about by being in the moment. In my experience the students who learn the deepest are the ones who can maintain focus on what they are doing without self-consciousness. In sports parlance this is referred to as being "in the zone". And a title has just popped into my mind - "In The Now!"

Now is the best time to be happy!

Tim Murphey

I guess there is a kind of dichotomy. We all want our students to improve but what I'm suggesting is that at least while we are actually with the students we put such notions to one side and avoid thinking in that way. In general, I think the best time to plan a lesson is after the lesson rather than before. In the same way, if we are going to evaluate performance do it when the students aren't there. During the class we are better off focusing upon being in the now. I think the degree to which we can do that determines the difference between having a good lesson and a great one.

Here are some things we can be and do to help children retain their focus:

• Avoid competition. I've said it before and this won't be the last time. The more competition there is, the less learning that takes place.
• Avoid seriousness. A light touch encourages learners to relax. This is very important when introducing new concepts.
• Avoid testing. This should go without saying, but be careful about accidentally putting students on the spot.
• Focus on desire rather than need.
• Find moderate challenges. It's hard to focus on anything that is too easy or too difficult.
• Use Activities that provoke some curiosity but not bafflement.
• Use activities that match the children's mood.
• Use a timer. Knowing that there is a time limit really sharpens focus.
• Be there but stand back. Give just enough help but no more and aim to give none.
• Be happy!
• Be playful!
• Be flexible.

I think the ability to focus in children varies. I've noticed that the weather can interfere, especially rain and before a storm. Some children have more focus than others but I think focus is something that strengthens if exercised. I was going to write "be improved". Oh fickle language, oh fickle mind! Can I blame the approaching rainy season?

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