Teaching chinese through drama and song

Brain-Based Foreign Language Learning Merzlikina Kate 14A01... The meaningful brain • Meaning is more important to the brain than information is.. • The brain searches for meaning thro

Brain-Based Foreign Language Learning

Merzlikina Kate

14A01

Mental Perception

• The meaningful brain

• The curious brain

• The emotional brain

• The social brain

• The conscious & subconscious brain

The meaningful brain

• Meaning is more important to the brain than information is

• The brain searches for meaning through

patterning Patterning allows for the storage and connection of information into meaningful categories

The curious brain

• The brain is attracted to novelty

• It tends to become more active when exposed to new ideas and challenges

The emotional brain

• Emotions and intelligence originate in

separate places in the brain, however, their paths cross each other - they are inseparable

• It can be enhanced by stimulus and

challenge

The social brain

• Our brain is social Interaction and social

status impact stress level

• Language learning becomes more effective in

a learner friendly setting where scaffolding,

cooperative learning, and social interaction take place

The conscious and subconscious brain

• Learning involves both conscious and

subconscious processes

• Learning not only takes place in the

classroom but occurs in everyday life

Successful language learners extend their learning beyond the textbook and the

classroom

Mel Levine: Founder of All Kinds of Minds Institute

… transform a verbal into a visual

task, and a visual task into a

kinesthetic one Challenging

the brain, not numbing it with

overload, keeps the mind happily

humming and is essential to

teaching

A Mind at a Time (2002)

Engage the Emotional Brain

“Why do I have to learn Chinese?”

“I have no choice, it’s the ONLY language offered here!”

Vs.

“I LOVE CHINESE! We wrote skits and they were soooo funny!

“My Chinese teacher taught us the coolest song in class!”

Engage the Emotional Brain

But that’s not REAL learning!

Real learning entails suffering!

But I didn’t learn that way!

Engaging the Meaningful Brain

What is the purpose of learning a language?

To know all the rules and never make a mistake

To pronounce every tone perfectly

To communicate and share your meaning Language teaching is the perfect place to practice engaging, brain-based learning

• Music and Movement

• Listening to music creates state of relaxed

alertness

• Music creates emotion in students

• Enjoy listening to music

Conscious and Subconscious Brain