Thursday, December 1, 2011

(Haptic) Peer-assisted pronunciation learning


Clip art: Clker
Here is a 2011 presentation by Kapelus of George Brown University on Inter-professional Peer-assisted learning (IPAL). Note the "Reasons for Using Peer-Assisted Learning":

(a) Offer education to students on their own cognitive level.
(b) Create a comfortable and safe educational environment.
(c) Socialize students and provide role models.
(d) Offer students an alternative motivation as well as another method of studying.
(e) Enhance intrinsic motivation in student.

One of the potential benefits of HICP instruction is that it offers a wide range of opportunities for students to work together, monitoring and providing feedback to each other on their pronunciation. For example, in signalling a different or improved pronunciation of a word or phrase, pedagogical movement patterns (PMPs) are used by students and instructor which, in effect, focus more on movement and touch than on only the (auditory) dimension of the sound (that coming in through the ears!)

Such PMP-based feedback generally "works for students on all levels," is safe--is not threatening or intimidating, provides models quickly and efficiently--nonverbally for the most part, is certainly "another method of studying"--one that facilitates integration effectively, and is highly motivating (in part because of the pervasive physical engagement.) In fact, HICP is without peer!

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