Suppose you are a teacher in a tribal dominated school. You do not know the mother tongue of those children . How can you organise activities that children will learn ? Describe in 500 words.
Answers
Actually, the fact that I don’t speak the mother tongue makes it so much easier to teach everyone the target language! Were I able to speak, I might begin to translate.
Instead, I begin with a bit of charades but talk as I go - I will walk to the door and open it - then ask someone to close it - then reverse the process. I will talk to them and tell them what I am doing. I might sit in a chair and pretend to greet a friend in the chair next to me. Then I would have the children come up and repeat the process with me. (I would coach them as needed for what to say, but most pick this up quickly) I might give them crayons to teach colors - color ‘x’ brown - color ‘y’ blue.
By beginning with simple commands and general actions that are very concrete, they begin to get a few words. Greetings and standards that are often said make sense quickly.
I would read to them EVERY DAY. I would read picture books so I could show them the pictures and point to things as I read. I can ask them questions and help them answer. Those who pick it up quickly will be able to assist those who are having trouble.
We could go for a walk and have them identify things we see. They can tell me in their language and I can tell them in mine.
This is in a VERY tiny nutshell. But it gives you the idea of some of the very basics.
Well in most cases this does not happen , because the person incharge of the school happens to know his or her student and their needs.That is why they will choose a teacher who will be able to cater for their students needs and above all who understands the students.
But if it happens, they is no need to panic , because you can use other means such as you can identify a student who is fluent in the Mother tongue language and also in English and ask the student to be the interpreter of both you and the students and with time the students will be able to learn something new everyday and eventually be also good in English.
E.M.W