Term Four Week One: Listening and Learning

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This term we will start on the three key focus points for students preparation for the examinations and the ending of the course programmes:



  1. Listening – listen to where your students are at in their examination preparation or in the course completion.

  2. Questioning – what do your students need, what are they asking for, and what questions are you asking them.

  3. Analysing - identifying, clarifying and developing solutions and answers to the questions – fine tuning the learning and the examination preparation.


Listening and learning:


Some suggestions on how to identify those students who may struggle to listen and learn and to respond to your focus on their listening skills.


You should also consider your own ways of interacting and the expectations you have of your students: it may be that changes on your part will enable them to feel they can communicate more readily.


Take note of learners who:


  • rarely or never volunteer in group situations

  • appear to have low self-esteem or confidence

  • are confident in practical tasks but quiet in discussions or feedback sessions

  • say they understand and nod in agreement but don’t do what is expected of them

  • look blank or puzzled when you explain things but don’t ask for help

  • do not use the right technical terms used in the course


If you have identified areas of need from these indicators, you could try a range of strategies that:


  • encourages the students to progress independently

  • is focused, explicit and direct, so that it shows the students specifically what is required

  • develops students’ confidence in speaking and listening

  • is directed towards specific goals that they recognise and understand

  • is used consciously and deliberately for a purpose

  • provides multiple opportunities to practise, so that the learning is reinforced and embedded

  • is part of a wider environment that facilitates learning

  • is relevant, challenging, interesting and enjoyable for you and your students.

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