Question

Explain how you might use language modeling and reinforcement as well as how you might encourage students to use language modeling in a classroom?

Answer 1

LANGUAGE MODELING

It is an essential part of learning process. When new information (i.e. new vocabulary words, phrases, expressions, etc.) is presented to students, they need to be shown how to use the new concepts correctly, how to pronounce these words properly. This should be a repetitive process. They need to be exposed to them many times before they will be able to accurately reproduce the words themselves. By modeling pronunciation and word/phrase use for students, teachers may find that students will be more willing to try saying new things and will experiment more freely in the language classroom.

Language modelling in a classroom

It takes three to five instances of repetition and/or exposure for new material, such as new words, to be imprinted in the student’s mind. An example is, the teacher could model the new words for their students and have them say the words back, repeating the exchange three to five times. This would give the students a chance to practice the pronunciation and the teacher would have a chance to do necessary corrections. After this kind of exchange, it is important for the students to make use of the new words. Activities via pair or group work where they can continue making connections between the words and their meaning. For successful modeling,the key is the frequency of exposure to the new material. Students are more likely to remember a word when they have heard it more than once.

How to do language learning in an interesting way.

Words and concepts can be introduced in context. It creates a real-life related, referential memory device associated with the word that the student can draw upon to help them remember and create understanding for the meaning of the word.

See an example,in a lesson common greetings for family and friends, these greetings would be put in a context. The teacher could create a setting in the classroom where they would model the words and how they are used in an authentic situation, such as introducing themselves to students and other teachers. Modeling the words in this way will give the students a context into which the words fit and thereby develop meaning. Modeling the context multiple times with student interaction raises the frequency of exposure which helps the students benefit fully from the use of pronunciation modeling.

REINFORCEMENT

Most valued behavior management tools of teachers is reinforcement. It can be used to teach new skills, teach a replacement behavior for an interfering behavior, increase appropriate behaviors, or increase on task behavior.

It is of two types

1. positive. Thisreinforcement is the delivery of a reinforcer to increase appropriate behaviors

2. negative.This reinforcement is the removal of an aversive event or condition, which also increases appropriate behavior

How to use reinforcement in a classroom

For example, positive reinforcement is providing a sticker to a student once they’ve completed an assignment.

Negative reinforcement is allowing the student to leave circle time for a five-minute break after they use a break card. But the goal of both positive and negative reinforcement is to increase desired behaviors.