Ten Ways to Grow Democracy in the ESL Classroom Lee Chen Palomar College CATESL 2008 State Conference Presentation

They Said What About Democracy? Johnny Carson: Democracy means that anyone can grow up to be president, and anyone who doesn't grow up can be _____________. Clement Attlee: Democracy means government by discussion, but it is only effective if you can stop people ______________.”

They Said What About Democracy? Edward Abbey: Democracy--rule by the people--sounds like a fine thing; we should try it sometime in ______________.

Serious Points to Ponder George Washington: If the freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep, to the slaughter.

Serious Points to Ponder Franklin Roosevelt: If democracy is to survive, it is the task of men of thoughts, as well as men of action, to put aside pride and prejudice; with courage and single-minded devotion—to find the truth and teach the truth that shall keep men free.

What does it mean to grow democracy in the classroom? Look for content that teaches about democracy and deliver instruction on it whenever possible Allow the students to experience the democratic ways

Ten ways to impart democratic principles on a daily basis 1. Let students jump start the class A question for the teacher One-minute motivator Language-related class opener Brain tease

Ten ways to impart democratic principles on a daily basis 2. Let students teach/explain back 3-step coaching You say; you do You say; they do They say; they do Cartoon recreation Notice grammar in the newspaper, etc.

Ten ways to impart democratic principles on a daily basis 3. Let students come up with authentic teaching materials Topics for discussions Student work as text Community Teaching Method

Ten ways to impart democratic principles on a daily basis 4. Let students help each other Paragraph peer review Audience feedback on team presentations Discussion board Student mentors

Ten ways to impart democratic principles on a daily basis 5. Let students manage themselves Daily class management jobs Classroom rules “Round robin” reading

Ten ways to impart democratic principles on a daily basis 6. Let students vote Student of the week Day or location of tests Reading selections

Ten ways to impart democratic principles on a daily basis 7. Let students participate in and represent their teams Team projects Daily team jobs Radio frequency clickers Cross-word puzzle solving Grammar review workout

Ten ways to impart democratic principles on a daily basis 8. Let students show off Student paper showcase Computer station swaps “Did you know…?”

Ten ways to impart democratic principles on a daily basis 9. Let students speak their mind One-minute feedback on the day’s class Opinion polls on course-related issues Anonymous discussion board Exercises for thinking independently, critically, or creatively

Ten ways to impart democratic principles on a daily basis 10. Let students share their insights and experiences with the world Weblog “Voices of ESL”

Pedagogy of the Oppressed Paolo Freire: The teacher is no longer the only one who teaches. The students, while being taught, also teach. They become jointly responsible for a process in which all grow.

Democratic Ways in a Classroom share control in class build a community spirit are pedagogically sound create a dynamic environment value and validate student voices develop greater student-centrality bring out humans’ cooperative nature

Democratic Ways in a Classroom produce self-managed, independent learners serve the students well and create raving fans enhance a more collaborative approach to language teaching change the teacher mentality of having to dictate everything in class engage and empower the students as active partners in the instructional process

Democratic Ways in a Classroom teach the students to have a say and take a stake in their immediate classes—and, hopefully, in their outside community as well—with the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in a democracy

Thanks! Presenter Contact Information: Lee Chen Associate Professor ESL Dept. Palomar College