I use The Walking Classroom with my ESL students. Because there are a variety of levels of English acquisition in each class, the program is an excellent fit due to the ability to speed up or slow down the podcast. My students are in high school, but they are either unfamiliar with the podcast topics, or they have some knowledge of the topic, but are now hearing it for the first time in English.
Both my students and I really enjoy getting outside for a walk. For the English language learner, school is overwhelming. Trying to understand the instruction in core classes is mentally and emotionally draining. The Walking Classroom gives us an excellent opportunity to clear our heads, breathe fresh air, increase our heart rates, and it pushes that reset button for the rest of the day.
English Learners in the ESL classroom have goals in four areas: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The Walking Classroom enables my students to have practice in all of those areas in a way that doesn’t feel like traditional schoolwork.
The greatest success stories occur on days when the students are able to recall something specific in the podcast that I cannot remember. There is nothing better than one-upping the teacher!
Sarah Fiero
ESL Teacher
Triton High School
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