METHODS Simulation Presented by he Slovenian team

What is simulation? A language learning method which allows students to express themselves in a group setting Don‘t mix it up with the Role play  Role play: students pretend to be someone else  Simulation: students retain their own identity The outcome: effective communication (rather then strictly correct use of vocabulary/structures The tasks: require the students to resolve a problem (using their own life experience nd character)

Important points to consider A good simulation should: mimic real life situations as closely as possible be relevant to the lives and interests of the learners (raises motivation, reduces fears) take place in a simulated environment – a classroom adapted to the environment of the simulation (audio-visual support) Teacher‘s role: active in the preparation stage (providing facts and materials) „hands-off“ approach during the simulation: monitoring during the simulation (no interaction ) making notes on the level of students‘participation and most frequent errors – a basis for feedback/evaluation/assessment

Advantages Simulation gives students  the chance to carry out a task or solve a problem together;  the freedom to make their own choices/decisions allows students  to experiment with new vocabulary and structures;  to base their choices/ decisions on their own experience; strengthens cooperation and collaboration skills. develops team building skills (life skills). removes error correction from the equation at the time of the exercise;

Preparing a simulation

Conducting, Evaluating, Assessing simulations Conducting  detailed preparation (time, what is expected)  notes on weak points (for the next sessions) Evaluating  Criterion: problem resolved as a result of effective communication, team work, motivation, independence  Debriefing, surveys, observation sheets, video recording… Assessing  Portfolios  Descriptive assessment (levels/ „can“ sentences)  Grades: combination of self-assessemnt and teacher‘s grade (+ written product if applicable )

This was the theory......what about the practice? Let‘s start with our simulation : Visiting the city of Celje for the first time