Content-Based Instruction

Presentation by Jeremy D. Slagoski, Senior English Language Fellow

Definition

• It is the teaching of content or information in the language being learned with little or no direct or explicit effort to teach the language itself separately from the content being taught. (Krahnke, 1987)

Theory on Language

1. Language is text and discourse-based.

2. Language use draws on integrated skills.

3. Language is purposeful.

Theory on Learning

1. People learn a second language most successfully when the information they are acquiring is perceived as interesting, useful, and leading to a desired goal.

2. Some content areas are more useful as a basis for language learning than others.

3. Students learn best when instruction addresses students’ needs.

4. Teaching builds on the previous experience of the learners.

Principles for CBI

1. Base instructional decisions on content rather than language criteria.

2. Integrate skills.3. Involve students actively in all

phases of the learning process.

More Principles

4. Choose content for its relevance to students’ lives, interests, and/or goals.

5. Select authentic texts and tasks.

6. Draw overt attention to language features.

Pedagogical Elements in a CBI Classroom

• Cooperative learning activities• Graphic organizers• Process writing• Critical thinking tasks• Values clarification

Similar approaches to Content-Based

Instruction• Theme-based instruction• Topic-based instruction• Task-based instruction• Project-based instruction

Sources

• Nunan, D. (ed). (2003). Practical English language teaching. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

• Richards, JC & Rodgers, TS. (2001). Approaches and methods in language teaching, second ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

My 2 Examples

• Social Change• Roswell & the Greys

Social ChangeSocial Change

Fill in the Chart How has life in Elista, Kalmykia or

Russia changed in the last 10 years?

Fill in the Chart How has life in Elista, Kalmykia or

Russia changed in the last 10 years?

What is social change?What is social change?

Any change in social relations that causes a change in a society or transformation of its social structure.

Defined from www.anthro.wayne.edu/ant2100/GlossaryCultAnt.htm

Any change in social relations that causes a change in a society or transformation of its social structure.

Defined from www.anthro.wayne.edu/ant2100/GlossaryCultAnt.htm

Not Just RussiaNot Just Russia

During the past decade, many other countries have gone through significant social changes.

Brainstorm other nations that have had a lot of social change since 1997.

During the past decade, many other countries have gone through significant social changes.

Brainstorm other nations that have had a lot of social change since 1997.

ReadingReading

In what ways does Michel feel life is better now than in the past?

According to Michel, in what ways was life worse in the past?

What does Michel think about the future?

In what ways does Michel feel life is better now than in the past?

According to Michel, in what ways was life worse in the past?

What does Michel think about the future?

ReadingReading

According to Jai Min, what causes the problems in society today?

What examples does Jai Min give of our loss of traditions and values?

According to Jai Min, what causes the problems in society today?

What examples does Jai Min give of our loss of traditions and values?

Perceptions on Solutions

Perceptions on Solutions

Every culture goes through some degree of social change.

There are mainly two ways to perceive social change.

What are these two perceptions?

Every culture goes through some degree of social change.

There are mainly two ways to perceive social change.

What are these two perceptions?

Optimism & PessimismOptimism & Pessimism

Acting Upon Social Change

Acting Upon Social Change

Rank the following terms on a scale from non-action to strong action.

Let’s define these terms together.

Rank the following terms on a scale from non-action to strong action.

Let’s define these terms together.

AcceptanceAcceptance

Not resisting change Not resisting change

AdaptationAdaptation

Changing oneself Changing oneself

AdvocacyAdvocacy

Organized activism related to a particular set of issues

Educating people about social change

Organized activism related to a particular set of issues

Educating people about social change

Community organizingCommunity organizing

A process by which people are brought together to act in common self-interest. Much community organizing is in the pursuit of a common agenda. Many groups seek populist goals and the ideal of participatory democracy. Community organizers create social movements by building a base of concerned people, mobilizing these community members to act, and developing leadership from and relationships among the people involved.

A process by which people are brought together to act in common self-interest. Much community organizing is in the pursuit of a common agenda. Many groups seek populist goals and the ideal of participatory democracy. Community organizers create social movements by building a base of concerned people, mobilizing these community members to act, and developing leadership from and relationships among the people involved.

Direct actionDirect action

Strikes Boycotts Sit-ins Sabotage

Strikes Boycotts Sit-ins Sabotage

Political activismPolitical activism

Joining a political party Writing letters to newspapers or

politicians Political campaigning Political rallies and street marches

Joining a political party Writing letters to newspapers or

politicians Political campaigning Political rallies and street marches

ProtestingProtesting

RevolutionRevolution

Spiritual activismSpiritual activism

Dealing with social change through one’s spiritual or religious beliefs

Prayer or meditation Faith in God (or gods) Hope for humanity Going to a church or temple

Dealing with social change through one’s spiritual or religious beliefs

Prayer or meditation Faith in God (or gods) Hope for humanity Going to a church or temple

Theater for DevelopmentTheater for

DevelopmentLive performance, or theater used as a

development tool. TfD encompasses the following in-person activities, with people or "puppets", before an audience:

1. a spoken-word drama or comedy2. a music, singing and/or dance production3. a production with movement but no sound

(mime)4. participatory or improvisational techniques

using any or all of these

Live performance, or theater used as a development tool. TfD encompasses the following in-person activities, with people or "puppets", before an audience:

1. a spoken-word drama or comedy2. a music, singing and/or dance production3. a production with movement but no sound

(mime)4. participatory or improvisational techniques

using any or all of these