Elevating EAL Courses: Bringing Interactivity and Technology Integration to the Classroom.  

English as an Additional Language (EAL) courses have undergone a significant transformation, departing from conventional teaching methods, to deliver engaging, interactive, and technology-driven learning experiences. At Fettes College Senior School, this evolution has necessitated the integration of real-life experiences and the utilisation of platforms such as Quizlet, Quizizz, and Flipgrid, etc. empowering students to enhance their language skills with utmost efficacy.

In today's modern classroom, guided by experienced educators, students are assigned tasks on platforms that substantially enrich their learning journey. Recognising the digital reliance of contemporary learners, EAL courses are leveraging technology to amplify the acquisition of language proficiency. Platforms such as Quizlet, Quizizz, and Flipgrid offer interactive tools meticulously tailored to accommodate diverse learning styles.

Quizlet reinforces vocabulary and grammar through the use of flashcards, games, and quizzes. By engaging students in interactive activities, it facilitates a deeper understanding and retention of language concepts.

Quizizz's gamified approach, featuring real-time leader boards, time-based challenges, live game mode, power-ups, and customisable settings, fosters healthy competition among learners. This dynamic learning environment motivates students to actively participate, challenge themselves, and strive for better performance.

Flipgrid, on the other hand, facilitates oral practice and fosters peer collaboration through seamless video recording and sharing.

Instructors provide real-time feedback, and sometimes employ peer assessment, enabling students to develop lifelong assessment skills, enhance their learning through knowledge diffusion, exchange of ideas, and motivate them to engage with course material more deeply.

Overall, these platforms not only make learning enjoyable but also provide learners with immediate feedback, progress tracking, and self-paced study opportunities. These features contribute to a comprehensive and effective language learning experience, empowering students to enhance their language competency at their own pace.

We are excited to share with you the progress made in our IELTS reading and listening class over the past two months. Our teachers have worked collaboratively through group discussions and research to establish a comprehensive teaching plan. This plan includes the sequence of question types, grammar points, and vocabulary lists, which are crucial for success in both the reading and listening sections of the IELTS exam.

Collective Teaching and Research of Chinese and Expat Teachers

In our reading classes, we have focused on analysing the logical relationships within and between sentences, utilising the advantages of the text. We have also emphasised the ability to simplify sentences and effectively skim and scan through texts. Additionally, we have practised predicting the vocabulary needed for reading fill-in-the-blank questions, including their parts of speech and range of meanings. This predictive ability has proven to be invaluable in tackling over 70% of the fill-in-the-blank questions in the IELTS listening section.

With a solid foundation in reading skills, our students have progressed smoothly in the listening course. Our teachers have dedicated themselves to strengthening students' ability to comprehend spoken English through intensive "ear training" exercises. Through this training, students will begin to understand how reading texts can be transformed into audio.

Collaborative Teaching Between IELTS Teachers Consolidates Overlapping Knowledge Points Between Subjects

We are proud of the achievements our students have made so far and are confident that they will be able to apply their skills in the speaking and writing sections of the exam. We look forward to the next phase our teaching process, where we will continue to build upon these foundations and further enhance our students' abilities.