Being a language teacher, I feel that we don't have the luxury of siting down at your desk during lesson.....I am always moving around the classroom offering support. However, pupils are extra needy when it comes to MFL and appear to have lost all ability of finding out grammar, vocabulary, phrases for themselves.
As a result of this, I have been a man on a mission to get my pupils more independent. I've been using 'C3B4ME' well in lesson and this has been working very well in all my lessons, as I have trained pupils to look at 3 things before even contemplating asking me for help. This tends to be the tradition brain, book, buddy route however this is always extended to use of the word wall, dictionary, textbook etc.
One important thing you should never do as a teacher is assume. Assuming that they know how to use the dictionary, use the grammar tables etc etc. is always something which can fall flat on its face if the pupils don't have the necessary skills in dealing with problems independently. So we can't blame them if they are unable to do it for themselves, as they need to be trained. Hence I always feel teaching can sometimes be similar to dog training.
"How can you expect a dog to perform, when they haven't been trained accordingly to sit, roll over or give you their paw?"
A tedious link perhaps, but in all honesty, how can you expect your pupils to use the strategies to work independently of they have not been trained to use these tools. You must! End of! Build into lessons these tools such as dictionary skills, dictionary races, verb drills, how to conjugate using a dictionary from the get go, regardless of year group (especially if you've inherited another class).
In order to develop and build upon these skills, I have taken a fantastic idea from @morganmfl........independent learning folders.
These are a fantastic way of getting your pupils to conjugate their verbs accurately, with simple step by step instructions, as well as include a greater range of vocabulary, opinions, time phrases, different structures etc. Gcse gold. They even have pointers on how to move from a grade C to a B, for example, with the necessary language required to do so.
Pupils simply go to the folder (a box file), and help themselves to the relevant laminate.
Even better, and if your school is tech savvy, they have qr codes taking your pupils to the relevant grammar point online if they are still struggling to understand.
These will enhance independent learning not only in my class, but across the department. It will also help inform marking and pupils will be able to act upon their feedback during D.I.R.T independently.
Thankyou miss Morgan.
Hoorah!