ASSIGNMENT 3: Classroom Pedagogics

Things which may be worth taken into account when making questions:

It is very important that we, as future teachers, take into account some things when making questions in class, as we want these questions to be effective and help students.

We have to bear in mind that we should never ask those questions that can be asked by a robot, as the students have to see that what we ask in class is useful and can help them when learning.

The key to ask the right kind of questions is to know what these questions may be, and to know all the types. 

For example, questions can be divided into:
- Referential: a question to which the teacher doesn't know the answer
- Display: a question to which the teacher knows the answer

First of all, we should increase the proportion of referential questions.

- Open questions: have an unlimited number of answers 
- Closed questions: have a limited number of possible answers

Here, we shouldn't ask only closed questions, but open questions too, so students can develop their thoughts. 
The right kind of questions are those that make learners think and allow their teacher to extend the interaction by further questioning. 
A good strategy would be to start by asking YES/NO questions and then extend it using WH-QQ.  

Secondly, we should avoid "thin air" questions. In fact, they may be directed, for example: first they're asked to the whole class and then some volunteers respond.

Finally, I will write some tips in order to ask the right kind of questions: 
- Controlling para-linguistic signs
- Taking into account the "wait-time"
- Rephrasing for simplicity
- Rephrasing a learner's error
- Repairing breakdowns
- Varying the input
- Setting the challenge
- Providing feedback or follow-up
- Getting attention

Those are some tips too ask good questions in general, but now I will summary those aspects we may consider when asking questions in the classroom:

SPEAKING:

It is essential to make a good intonation when talking in class, as the way we say things can make a difference, it can make students pay attention or not, for example. As well as the rhythm, which should be moderate, not too fast, to avoid students to get lost, nor too slow, to avoid students want to sleep.

It is also very important to give them time to answer. In this way, they have time to keep calm, to think clear, and answer more correctly. Also, we should ask direct questions, in a way that are adapted to students, so they know we are talking to them and care. And all this in a standard language.

FEEDBACK:

On the other hand, it’s not only the way we speak but what we say. And we should give feedback when we are in class, to show interest so students can see we are also interested in what they think, to rephrase the sentences so they can understand them better, and to reward them by saying: “Well done!” “Congrats!” etc.
In this way, students feel satisfied with what they have answered and they are no longer afraid to speak aloud in class.