Introducing to L2 learning and teaching in the 21^st century

 

 

 

When we focus on language learning and teaching in the 21^st century no longer mean teaching and learning grammar, grammar translation, memorization and learning from rote, however rather using language and cultural knowledge as a means to communicate and connect with others all over the world. Using materials is considered to be one of the most important things so that students can study it practically. Not only materials but also the teachers, teaching methods, texts, tasks, tests and technology are equally necessary. Therefore, this paper is going to focus on the necessity that students need in the 21^st century.

 

Teacher

 

1.      Growth mindset

2.      Embrace change

3.      Learn, Relearn, Unlearn

 

Teachers of the 21^st century need to have a grown mindset that can change their teaching methods and systems to help students to be better all the time and be energetic to improve their teaching, and do research about their teaching methods. As much as they have a growth of mindset, they can accept the change and are willing to alter because the needs of the students change as well. As the world is changing very fast, teachers need to learn, relearn and unlearn. This is the role of teachers in the 21^st century.

 

Teaching method

 

1.      Student-centered pedagogy

2.      Project/ inquiry-based

3.      Flipped classroom

 

Nowadays, the student-centered is more effective than teacher-centered because it is practical, reliable and attractive. Project/inquiry-based method is more student-centered because it allows students to explore to find out from themselves using resources that are available inside and outside the classroom. To construct an effective classroom in the 21^st century the traditional methods should be reversed.

 

Text

1.         Compelling/interesting

2.         Comprehensible

3.         Digital/multi-modal text

 

The text refers to the teaching documents. These should be interesting, attractive and exciting so that students are happy to learn and the outcome will produce advanced comprehensibility as well. Using multi-modal texts or images will help students to be more comprehensible as well as practical. There are some benefits of digital text such as shareable, interactive, Annotatable and Ed Puzzle.

 

Task

1.         Engage

2.         Explain

3.         Explore

4.         Elaborate

5.         Evaluate

 

The task is very important in what teachers want their students to do with the text. During the class time teachers must engage students to be interested in lessons, explain them vividly, explore whether they understand or not, elaborate them and evaluate the outcome.

 

Test

1.         Assessment of and for learning

2.         Small and frequent

3.         Multiple ways

 

Actually, the testing sometimes boring as we have been through many times in our lives. However, when we Google it, we can find there are many ways to check the understanding of the students such as “ask open-ended questions, quiz, self-written quiz, quiz the teacher etc. Tests can help students to be comprehensible and make them remember the content easily yet the test should be interesting.

 

Technology

1.         Online and onsite learning

2.         Use Tech Tools in both?

3.         Tech improves learning

 

Technology is one of the tools that help in learning and teaching in the classroom. For example, mobile phones, laptops, iPod, tablets, are some of the most useful to connect to the internet and learn through online what we are interested in as everything is available on Google. In the classroom also we can use these tools and improve learning and teaching, for instance, using PowerPoint, Microsoft word, images, videos, audios, music from online etc.

 

To sum up, the 21st century is changing very fast therefore we cannot hold onto one thing in our hand permanently especially the teaching methods, ideas, theories and materials that are used in the classroom. The growth mindset is very important for every teacher to color his or her classroom to be bright and guide the students to have confidence in their individual way.