ABSTRACT: Creative thinking, or divergent production potential is present in all learners but many of the standard classroom activities stunt rather than develop it. This presentation aims to point out opportunities for making this part of our design including activities that have the potential of developing the different facets of this composite aspect of human intellect. SUMMARY: It has been suggested that creativity (or, as it is also termed, divergent production) is not a single unifying ability but is viewed as a composite of intellectual abilities. The four main facets I will be looking at are: FLUENCY Ability to produce large numbers of ideas FLEXIBILITY Ability to produce diverse ideas (not the same kind) ELABORATION Ability to add on to and embellish an already existing idea ORIGINALITY Ability to produce uncommon, 'clever' ideas Creative thinking, or divergent production, facilitates problem solving, and in a problem solving approach oriented classroom, enhancing creative thinking potential can facilitate discovery learning as well as enhance language production. This talk will outline the thinking and relationship of divergent versus convergent production relating them to specific language activities encouraging one or the other kind. I will be suggesting a range of activities which can develop aspects of creative thinking singly or in combination. The four facets listed do not refer specifically to language learning but to any kind of intellectual challenge, language learning being one of them. Depending on the type of audience, some references may also be made as to how the concept can be used in the TEFL training classroom. ___________________________ Related blog post: The Art of Being Creative http://marisaconstantinides.edublogs.org/2010/04/13/the-art-of-being-cre... This post may be of interest to teacher educators but the activities and ideas were also used in my talk at Harrogate with a language learning focus.

1. Marisa Constantinides Dip.RSA, M.A. App Ling Teacher Educator & Director CELT Athens Teacher Development Centre

3. @Marisa Constantinides CELT Athens - info@celt.edu.gr – IATEFL Harrogate 2010

7. Original images replaced with own from Second Life

10. fact fact fact fact fact fact fact fact Correct Answer

11. Answer 2 Answer 3 Answer 4 Answer 1 Answer 5 Answer 6 Answer 6 Answer 7 Stimulus

12. Only one correct answer possible Uniquely determined by language material Based on processing of facts fact fact fact fact fact fact fact fact Correct Answer

13. Not totally determined by language provided Multiple answers possible Variety of correct answers possible Answer 2 Answer 3 Answer 4 Answer 1 Answer 5 Answer 6 Answer 6 Answer 7 Stimulus

14. Answer 2 Answer 3 Answer 4 Answer 1 Answer 5 Answer 6 Answer 6 Answer 7 Stimulus fact fact fact fact fact fact fact fact Correct Answer

17. Elements of creative behaviour Relationship to Language Production Fluency Ability to produce large numbers of ideas Easy & ready flow of talk; production of sustained talk Flexibility Ability to produce diverse ideas (not the same kind) Ability to follow changes in the direction of the talk and respond to them; ability to initiate such changes Elaboration Ability to add on to and embellish an already existing idea Ability to avoid simplistic responses; ability to improve set phrases and embellish them; useful for writing Originality Ability to produce uncommon, 'clever' ideas Ability to produce novel utterances; avoidance of clichés

18. Activity explained in handout

21. Drilling roleplays Activity explained in handout

23. Related blog post: The Art of Being Creative http://marisaconstantinides.edublogs.org/2010/04/13/the-art-of-being-creative/ This post may be of interest to teacher educators but the activities and ideas were also used in my talk at Harrogate with a language learning focus.

24. My email [email_address] My Twitter ID http://twitter.com/Marisa_C My Centre www.celt.edu.gr My Blogs http://marisaconstantinides.edublogs.org/ http://celtathens.wordpress.com/ http://celt-athens-tefl-courses.blogspot.com