Experiential Learning Cycle as part of the Constructivist classroom (Kolb, 1984) has a specific framework that is used as basis for many teaching and training materials. Kolb's idea is that learning is incomplete unless experience is processed by stages of reflection, generalization and application. Here's the framework:
Experience: for data gathering
Processing: for completing the learning
Reflection: to establish what happened
Generalization: to identify learning
Application: to plan for future
Activities which are associated with Experiential Learning include self-assessment, critical incidents, case studies, role plays, simulations, excursions, inquiries because most of these activities imply "learning by doing" and Ss' direct involvement and experience. Sounds great, right? But most of the coursebooks don't include all the stages. A lot of activities and texts are mainly written for native speakers in mind. Moreover, Communicative Approaches' components such as learner-centredness, teacher as a facilitator, verbalization, peer interaction, self-disclosure, small-group work are sometimes not feasible for some cultures (having Russia in mind). Many experiential exercises make Ss vulnerable as they cannot adapt to the quick reaction while doing communicative activities. Furthermore, a teacher should be knowledgeable enough to work as a facilitator. A lot of teachers struggle with the idea of cooperative learning techniques and CA as well as following Experiential Learning Cycle.
I had to get a lot of re-training to put this practice into my teaching local context, because I was taught Soviet methodology developed by psychologists as Galperin, Vygotsky, Leontyev, etc. They designed Practical-Conscious Method of language teaching. Grammar rules were given consciously at schools. But the basic goal was to develop unconscious usage of language for communicative purposes. That methodology proved to be a great failure because nobody could speak English after school years.
How do you adapt or use new approaches and techniques (which might not be relevant to your culture) into your local context?
- Victoria Kamchatka's blog
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Comments
When it comes to the methodology issue, I find it rather confusing as there is a great debate going on nowadays. The only thing what I try to stick is using the Communitive Approach in my teaching practice . Besides, I belive that all current ELT approaches are communicative as most of them are focused to get students to communicate.
As for ELS, I believe that it would be more suiatble to draw upon in teaching business English rather than English classes. Viktoria, What do you think about cooperative learning? is it really communicative?
And what to do with the cycle if teachers face obstacles?
Dear Ilnur, thanks for the comment. ELC does work but with proper adaptation to the local context and strategies related.
Cooperative learning and collaborative learning are actually different things. However, both of them are communicative-based. Cooperative learning when Ss work together to accomplish shared goals. Collaborative learning "a method that implies working in a group of two or more to achieve a common goal, while respecting each individual's contribution to the whole (McInnery and Robert, 2004)