Initiating Interaction in the Classroom and Sustaining Interaction through Group work

How is order set up and kept in learning environments?  and What is the impact of Atrategies-Based Instructions on teaching English as a foreign language?

    Having reflected upon chapters 13 and 14 of the book “Teaching by Principles” I can say that actually, the order set up and kept in learning environments is an interactive order based on SBI (Strategy-Based Instruction). Most teachers around the world are trying to apply successful and modern strategies to promote interaction in their classrooms, so the order presented in these chapters is set up and kept through many interactive principles, through the role of the interactive teacher, and through group work.

 

      The learning environment presented in these chapters are based on how to promote interaction; that’s why, nowadays, many teachers are trying to put into practice some interactive principles such as automaticity, intrinsic motivation, and strategy investment; for example, in strategy investment, teachers try to make their students aware that in order to successfully master a foreign language, they need to invest their time, effort, and attention to the second language. In this strategy, teachers are focusing on the learner’s role in their learning process; this means that teachers are trying to make their Ss understand that they have to play an active role in their learning process.

          

       So, the order set up and kept in the learning environments must be one in which interaction can take place not only between Ss but also between teachers and Ss. One of the most relevant and modern strategy or technique that many teachers are using to promote interaction in their classrooms is group work since working in groups or in pairs, Ss have the have the opportunity to exchange their thoughts, feelings, and ideas, so in that way, interactive communication can take place. Besides that, when Ss have interactive communications through group work, they are putting in to practice their language skills, and taking an active role in their learning process; they are also able to self-evaluate their own learning and giving feedback on their errors which are some of the advantages that group work provides.

 

 

       Moreover, I can say that SBI (Strategy-Based Instruction) have had a great impact on teaching English as foreign language. Taking into account all the ideas presented before and as Dr. H Douglas Brown said in his book “Teaching by Principles” page 258 “In an era of communicative, interactive, learner-centered teaching, SBI simply cannot be overlooked.” That’s why, teaching means almost nothing without having all the SBI and other modern interactive teaching strategies. Besides that, SBI is what guide many teachers to have successful interactive classes in which learning takes place. So, through SBI Ss are encouraged to continue their learning outside the classroom, to go beyond his classes, and to develop their own strategies for success.

            

     So, we as teachers must promote an interactive learning environment in all our classrooms applying interactive principles, strategies, and techniques like group work in order to make our Ss active participants in their own learning process. That’s why, we as teachers must notice that SBI play an important role in the teaching environment.