2.3 Touch in the Classroom

[Niko]

So what can "touch" achieve in the classroom?

Touch is not a major consideration when teaching English to adult students. Touch plays a more important role for children aged 6 or below.

Touch can be broken down into:

• Touch with animate objects
• Touch with inanimate objects

1. Touch with animate objects

The word "dog" is animate. Animate objects are living things.

With students aged 6 or below, it's often necessary for the teacher to hold hands with other students, or allow students to have considerable body contact. This is natural amongst younger students. Younger students utilise body contact as a method of communication seeking approval or disapproval on their actions.

2. Touch with inanimate objects

The word "plastic strawberry" is inanimate. Inanimate objects are non-living things.

To maintain a child's concentration, the teacher needs to constantly allow students to touch and feel inanimate objects.

If the class lesson is on learning fruit, then ensure students can touch and feel the plastic fruit used in the lesson. This will bring much enjoyment to students as it allows them to participate with classroom props.

To Summarise

Touch in the classroom can build better teacher/student and student/student relationships. It also maintains the children's concentration span and enthusiasm towards learning English.

Touch leads to trust and friendship amongst students of all ages.

[rwall7943]

I really do think that the younger the student, the more touch can help in teaching them. At a very young age children are curious and want to touch and feel everything. I am not sure about using it for adults though.

[reviewer]

I can still remember some lessons from when I was in school as a child, and it's true, the personal interaction helps you remember. Plus, handling things keeps you stimulated to learn.

[Tutor]

Probably to help students learn the word "Hot" ... asking them to handle a cup of coffee with the cup being hot.