Essential Techniques for Language Teaching and Classroom Management

Posted on Oct 25, 2025 in Primary Education

Language Teaching Methodologies

  • Audio-Lingual Method (ALM): Focuses on repetition and grammar drills. Vocabulary is often not introduced or emphasized in a meaningful context.
  • Task-Based Learning (TBL): Learning occurs in a meaningful way. Language is placed in context and introduced specifically to carry out a task.
  • Project-Based Learning (PBL): Students are assigned specific roles, and the teacher acts as a facilitator. Learning is based on a central topic and can last a week or a semester.
  • Direct Method: Focuses on oral skills (speaking and listening) through question-and-answer activities.
  • Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL): Teaching academic subjects (such as science, history, or geography) through a foreign language.
  • Presentation, Practice, Production (PPP): Uses specific structures to communicate during a practice activity.
  • Total Physical Response (TPR): Coordination of language and physical movement.
  • Grammar Translation Method: Focuses on writing sentences and translating them between languages.
  • Communicative Approach / Natural Approach: Excellent for beginners, utilizing problem-solving, interactive, and creative activities.

Classroom Management and Environment

Classroom Management (Gestió de l’aula)

Establishing the parameters of the classroom environment:

  • Raise your hand to speak.
  • Pay attention to the teacher.
  • Use appropriate classroom language and listen to the teacher.
  • Use symbols, images, and important keywords for visual cues.

Alternative positive feedback examples: “You have got it right,” or “Super!” (e.g., using tools like ClassDojo).

Classroom Layout (Disseny de l’aula)

Creating an environment where learners can work together and independently. Examples of layouts:

  • Class in rows
  • Class in a horseshoe shape
  • Class in a circle
  • Class in groups of five or six
  • Class in pairs

Developing Oral Skills and Pronunciation

It is more important to focus on good pronunciation than on achieving a specific accent. Pronunciation is crucial for mutual understanding, whereas an accent is a unique characteristic of an individual.

Tools and Techniques for Pronunciation

  • Use applications to practice vowel pronunciation in sentences.
  • Utilize the Jazz Chants methodology.

Effective Oral Activities

Many activities can encourage students to talk and communicate naturally. While they don’t always explicitly focus on pronunciation, well-planned activities can help students develop a variety of skills simultaneously. Be creative and let your students be creative too!

Activity Examples

  • Voki (creating avatars)
  • Jazz Chants (songs/rhythmic exercises)

Vocabulary and Grammar Activities

Vocabulary Building

  • Word Clouds (Núvol de paraules)
  • Mind Maps (Mapes conceptuals)
  • Flashcards (e.g., using Quizlet)

Grammar Practice

  • Repetition drills
  • Physical movement (e.g., TPR)
  • Question and answer sessions
  • Games: Bingo, board games, Taboo, “Find the Differences”

Teaching Culture in the Classroom

Strategies for Cultural Exchange (Com ensenyar diferents cultures)

  • Food: Invite students to talk about or share typical dishes from their countries.
  • Holidays: Ask students to discuss a traditional holiday from their native culture.
  • Clothing: Invite students to wear traditional clothing on a specific day or bring pictures of traditional dress.
  • Time Distribution: Examine the typical distribution of time in a culture to gain insight into its values.
  • Music: Play different genres (e.g., rock and roll) and invite students to share music from their own cultures.
  • Currency: Invite students to bring in samples of money from their native countries.
  • Literature: Have students read English translations of traditional tales or tell the stories to their classmates.

Understanding Diversity

The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique and recognizing our individual differences. Diversity is a reality created by individuals and groups from a broad spectrum of demographic and philosophical differences.

Multiple Intelligences

  • Musical
  • Kinesthetic
  • Interpersonal
  • Intrapersonal
  • Naturalistic
  • Linguistic
  • Logical-mathematical
  • Visual/Spatial