Teaching Assistants' Training Program

Description

The principle goal of learning a non-native language is to be able to communicate using that language.  In order for students to be able to do this, classroom instruction must go beyond the grammar, vocabulary, sounds, and meaning of the target language and provide students with the opportunity to accomplish a range of communicative tasks.  How can you design and implement effective communicative tasks in your classroom to enhance student learning?  In this workshop, we identify the key characteristics of an effective communicative activity, and discuss how they can be successfully integrated into tutorials and lectures. We will also discuss when communicative activities should be used, and how to avoid common pitfalls.  Participants will practice designing activities for teaching the core components of language (e.g., grammar, vocabulary) to beginner and intermediate language learners. Participants having completed this workshop will have the necessary tools to design and implement effective communicative activities in their classrooms.