A warm welcome and authentic engagement builds trust, community and capacity! Support Teams and low stakes team practice are some main elements of acceleration. As teachers, we need to help create trust and unity. It is our by our lead that students feel safe and know how and when to let their guard down and lower their effective filter enough so input becomes fluency.
Authentic and early engagement, like writing a letter to students before the semester begins, can be a great way to initiate this trust. Establishing Support Teams within the first week gives the students a home where they can embrace tasks in a low stakes way. The teams should exchange contact information, sit together if possible, and create a team identity. I included a Team Shield activity (inspired by Annie’s individual shields) where students have to create their own team motto and symbols. Thoughout the semester, these teams continuously offer support and accountability. Creating and identifying teams is a great transition into personal autobiographies by focusing on how each individual’s strengths add to the team.
ESL Instructor