Slide presentation describes why engagement is essential to learning. Was part of presentation to language teachers. This slide show has engagement as a key missing link which explains why the rates of language learning success are so poor later on, despite the fact that we were all successful learning the first. Of course there are many reasons. Issue of lack of engagement is a key factor explaining this phenomena

1. An essential part of learning
Andrew Weiler AFMLTA July 2015

2. *There is already a
recognition of its
importance
*Relatively poor
outcomes in terms of
learning and
retention in language
classes
*Occurs in every area
where we learn skills
*Bike, video games,
dancing, driving

3. *We need to better understand,
as it lies at the heart of all
learning
*Sense of awareness is heightened
*At the level of energy – we feel
engaged
*We pay attention, we focus, we
apply when we are engaged
*Feeling has us attracted or
“turned off”
*We can be attentive for long
periods of time when what we
are doing is engaging

4. The Cycle Of Engagement
Students want to pay attention
to what is going on from their
own volition
Through that, their awareness about
….. Gets aroused, expands or deepens
This new/expanded awareness has
them want to grow that awareness
and apply what they have come to
Through application, their
understanding and their skills
improve (this needs to be their
perception)
From this, their confidence grows
As their confidence grows, they want
to engage more in the process
And so the cycle starts again

5. *Learners are not pulled in at step one
*No challenge at level of where they are at and who they are
*Knowledge is the main medium, rather than awareness & skill
* Knowledge – grammar, vocabulary
* Drills, Rote learning exercises
* Memorisation is main way of learning
*Little skill improvement is the result

6. *Learners are forced or force
themselves to learn
*Memorisation used
*Little or no skill improvement
*Confidence in abilities does not
grow
*De-sensitized and distanced from
needs and learning capacities
*Question own abilities
*Learners give up

7. *Designing input that works on skills
created from awarenesses reached
*Observing the skills and what students
are aware of
*Providing feedback at level of skill and
awareness
*Students energy levels and
involvement
*Skill improvement
Empowerment and confidence are key
markers

8. *Providing
*input that is challenging
*input at level of awareness
*input that matches their skill level
*input that is one step up from where they are at
*only input that is necessary
*Not providing what can be worked out from
what is known
*Not providing knowledge. Instead encouraging
them to work out what they need to know for
themselves

9. dab cab jab lab nab
rad mad had fad bad cad
pack mack sack black lack
wall tall call fall hall ball
tar car far par
war warm warp
bag rag sag hag flag slag
mal pal gal hal
sam pam dam ram flam
was wasp wash what
pass
gas has tas
mass lass bass
rat hat slat cat fat flat

10. *Choose another sound in English - ∧
*What do students need so they can learn to spell it
and read it?
* Sound
* Generate and recognise words that conform to sound
requirements
*What needs to be done by….
*Check to see if words conform
*Organise the words they generate
*Work out the patterns

11. *Select a pronunciation problem that is typical for
English learners of the language you teach.
*What is the problem?
*When does it occur? ( all phonemic environments?)
*Why do you think it occurs?
*What awareness needs to be triggered for students to
master it?

12. *
*Working at levels of skill & awareness
*Real live action
*Did they say what was required?
*Was it understood by the interlocuter – in terms of
action
*Was the behaviour appropriate to the words used
*Was the timing of all that appropriate
*Action – imperatives, personal, question forms,
negatives, cause and effect, description, time,
condition

13. * Website/Blog: http://StrategiesInLanguageLearning.com
* Email: andrew@strategiesinlanguagelearning.com
* Linked In:
https://au.linkedin.com/in/andrewweilersill
* Twitter: @Andrew_Weiler
* YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/LearnLanguageCoach
* Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Language.Coach.Andrew.Weiler
* Books: http://LanguageLearningUnlocked.com
http://LanguageLearningUnlocked.com/memory/
Email me your name and email address (school/personal) if you wish to be informed about or
involved in trialing of spelling APP development that conforms to the ideas I have been talking
about.