Encouraging out-of-school language use Marcelo López Lara Nazarbayev University Astana, Kazakhstan, November 23, 2016

Workshop objective The idea behind the workshop is to first, create awareness among different stakeholders of the importance of extending the use of them beyond the classroom in a natural way and second, to define strategies that would give shape to language projects which have not considered placing the learners in settings where L2 and/or L3 can be practiced outside a controlled environment. At the same time, the purpose of the strategy to use languages outside the classroom is to deliver solutions for those teachers who may not find effective ways to have the students practice a target language beyond the class.

Understanding how we learn languages Topics The importance of using languages beyond the classroom and creating awareness Understanding how we learn languages Is being good at languages a natural talent? Natural ways of grasping a language beyond the classroom

The importance of using languages beyond the classroom Having language lessons in a controlled environment is not enough for the student to acquire the target language. Language teachers not always encourage the use of the four skills (S/L/W/R) in the classroom. Exposure to real situations is what makes the learning of a language happen. Learning a language should be an experience and language teachers have to find ways to create those experiences.

Understanding how we learn languages How did you learn your first language? How did you learn your second language? How did you learn your third language? Was there an alignment?

Is being good at languages a natural talent? Although babies are born with the capacity to learn language, it is the opportunities they have to use this capacity and learn by doing which is a key success factor. (David Marsh)

Interact with native speakers This is a very effective way not only to learn a language but also a way to understand another culture. Sometimes the native speakers is just around the corner.

Learning through television Television has become so popular nowadays that we can watch the programs we love, in other languages. This makes it easier for students to become engage in something they are interested in.

Listen, listen, listen… There are hundreds of radio stations, podcasts, movies, videos students can have access to. There are many songs which can be used for teaching the target language but also to continue practicing outside school.

Read, read, read There are millions of documents out there ready for you to encourage your students to look at them. Read newspapers in the target language online. Read books in the target language online.

Change language of your phone Simple tricks Change language of your phone Post vocabulary words all over the school Have the bell at school play songs in another language “punish” your students if they do not use the target language

Thank you Please feel free to contact me to get more ideas on how you can encourage your student to use the target language after class. marcelo.lopez@nu.edu.kz