Teaching incorporates various supportive methods and principles. However, are these methods applied in the appropriate situations and contexts for effective student learning? Through this article, VTJ will share how to teach and learn in the most appropriate context.
Improve contextual teaching and learning methods
What is contextual teaching and learning?
Contextual teaching and learning is an approach that creates connections between lesson theory and related real-life examples. This approach recognizes that learning is more effective when students can see the relevance and application of their learning to their own lives and the world around them.
Contextual teaching and learning must not only be relevant to real-life situations but also be timed to maximize student engagement.
The advantages of contextual teaching and learning
The concept of contextual teaching and learning can be understood in two ways for teachers teaching students. Overall, it refers to how teachers structure their lesson plans. The goal is to create a logical sequence that is appropriate for the students’ current situation.
Furthermore, teachers should incorporate relevant real-life examples that illustrate the topic in various contexts. Overall, it brings the following benefits:
- Promote teamwork and participate in practical activities
- It promotes deep understanding, broad knowledge, and long-term retention of concepts through practical application.
- It enhances your ability to communicate your knowledge effectively with others.
- Maximize the energy and success of a lesson.
Read more: How to Teach Writing Skills to Students Effectively in 8 Simple Steps
Common types of contextual teaching and learning language
Common types of contextual teaching and learning language
Extralinguistic Context
Simply put, a word in a language can have multiple meanings depending on the context of the situation.
Single sentence context: focuses on vocabulary, structure, and grammar to express the main idea of the sentence.
The context of a text: sometimes vocabulary words can be placed at the beginning of a sentence or express another emotion that learners need to pay attention to.
Extralinguistic Context
This type of context is formed under conditions where direct communication with each other takes place. Sometimes, it is also considered a folk song, idiom, or metaphor. In addition to making the meanings of words clearly defined, a situational context allows the speaker to save effort in expression and avoid redundant linguistic markers in the situation.
Situational Context
It can be external such as location, surroundings, or time at that moment. One should be careful and observe the situation first to avoid misunderstandings.
Extrasituational Context
It’s difficult to prepare for all possible situations. Factors such as society, culture, and environment affect your communication and the way you convey information.
Read more: 40+ Preschool Teacher Interview Questions (+Answers)
Examples of contextual teaching and learning
Examples of contextual teaching and learning
- Incarnate and immerse yourself in the character: Assigning roles and tasks to a group of students in a historical Vietnam war. Each person will remember the content, characteristics, and sayings of each character. From there, he recreated a historical plot to commemorate his father.
- Picnics and outdoor activities: Volunteer trips and donations to support disadvantaged mountain people. Learn about the culture, traditions, and customs of each ethnic group. After finishing, the teacher can ask the teacher to state his or her feelings. Motivate students to participate in community-building and humanitarian projects.
- Through projects: instead of learning theory and too many definitions at school, teachers can think about creating practical projects for that lesson. For example, an online business project for the marketing industry. Ask students to carry out practical preparations such as start-up.
- Application of games: After stressful and tiring class hours, teachers can switch teaching methods to playing intellectual games such as Quizlet, Mario, or solving puzzles.
- Invite interpretations to share: To increase the credibility and persuasion of students. If necessary, teachers can invite influential people to motivate and gain perspective from more aspects.
FAQs
What are the theories about contextual teaching and learning?
According to Hudson & Whisler (2007), contextual teaching and learning is made up of three solid fundamental theories:
- Theory of connection: bringing complex terms closer to real situations, creating certain connections.
- Creative thinking theory: it is not necessary to apply traditional methods, innovative and creative thinking can keep up with the times.
- Theory of proactivity: instead of just listening and following instructions, you should proactively ask questions, and come up with actions and hypothetical situations.
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