I have been using WBT to teach English for five days. I have been teaching Phonics and 100 sight words too. It works Class-yes and Teach OK well, but students speak so softly that I can't hear. What shall I do? (I did ask them to speak up) Some even mouth the words only.

As I teach in Hong Kong, students find it hard to use English to say that five rules. I am still working on it. Two or three students need to practise rules 1 and rule 2 nearly every day. I am frustrated.

By the time I teach passage, they have no motivation because there are a lot of new words for them. (I am teaching SEN students). Next week, they will have their first dictation. There are eleven students in one class. I teach Primary four and five.

I use the 'echo' technique with my students who speak softly. Simply, I teach my class that if anyone can not hear when a student is sharing they simply say, "echo" (only one needs to say it). The student then is repeat what they said in a loud and clear voice. It helps to empower the students that what they have to say is values. It holds the students accountable to each other and validates that what they are sharing is of value to their classmates. It also relieves you of the constant burden of repeating everything the students are saying for the entire class. Practice first in a playful manner and role play the method with the class helps too.

Have you tried the voice meter? It's demonostrated in The Crazy Professor Reading Game video with Chris Rekstad. It is basically an 8 x 11 size paper with a simple illustration that shows a meter going from "silent" to "very loud". Chris demonstates how to control the noise level of your room by moving your hand up and down the voice meter. The students take their voices from very loud down to silent. Many teachers use it as a way to get their students quieter, but I think you could use it to raise the level of voices louder just as easily.

I hope this helps.

Susan Floyd
WBT Intern
2011-12

I will try it. Thank you !

I made up a really fun meter, I rhyme everything (kinda) so here goes:
Yell and scream, way to mean
Loud and proud, address the crowd
Normal voice, excellent choice
Quiet riot - let's all try it
Slitther silent, sh-sh-sh

We chant this then gesture with hands high then low to the sh pointer over lips. I also have a smilie face of the mouth positions drawn I'll get a picture of it soon.
Annette

Wow! This is a good one. I can't wait to try it and chant it with my students. Thanks !

Repetition is key when teaching the five classroom rules. In my primary classes, I review the basics every class. At first they were slow and quiet, but now they are louder and faster. Also, I get my students to lead the rules, and encourages them to participate more. You have only been teaching for 5 days. I have been using it now for 2 months and seen from gradual change to substantial change in all of my 22 classes that I teach weekly.

I love the "echo" strategy! Great idea! At the begining of this year, I had a very timid quiet student. He would only speak to the teacher not in front of the crowd and even when speaking he was very quiet. I love a loud classroom full of participation and responses, so we started having him teach his pencil during Teach-OK until he felt less shy. After about a day or two of seeing all the other kids have fun in class, he wanted to participate with them. Now he is one of my first students raising his hand to share or volunteer ideas in front of the entire class. His parents have even complimented about how much he has blossomed!

Cjnasello,
I have found the same to be true! My, shy, students have really come full circle this year. With all of the oral writing, compared to the teaching of one another, and their pencils:) I know that all of the interaction in class is so beneficial! Public speaking is one of the most feared traits. However, WBT students will be ready to conquer the world!!


Heather Hansen
Wbt Intern
2011/12

Heather, I agree, now if we could transfer that into good oral language when they talk out on the playground to each other! My ESL kids are doing great with oral language, and the genius ladder has been their life "changer" give me oh yeh
Annette