Using foreign language in the classroom

USING FOREIGN LANGUAGE IN THE CLASSROOM
PLAN:

1. 
   How do you teach a foreign language?
   
2. 
   What are fun ways to teach language?
   
3. 
   Why shouldn't we learn a foreign language?
   

In this column, so far, we’ve focused primarily on tips targeted to foreign language students and advice for learning a new language. Today’s tips, however, are for the teachers of foreign languages, those who are hoping to bridge the gap between cultures. Even so, these tips will also benefit students of new languages; after all, every disciplined student is also a teacher to oneself. So whether you are a professional teacher or a self-taught disciple, these tips should help you on your path to language education.
Expose students to as much of the language as possible
While this may sound like an obvious thing to do, it is not always utilized in classrooms. Limit the native language and focus on the target one in your interactions with your students. Even if they don’t know any of the target language, they can still easily learn simple classroom commands. Spend the first day going over some simple phrases that you can utilize throughout the classroom experience. (“I don’t understand” and “May I be excused to use the restroom?” are two invaluable phrases.) Sometimes the native language will be required, however your job as a teacher is to expose as much of the target language as possible, enabling your students to also begin using it as quickly as possible.
Get hands-on: Encourage participation with games
Learning a new language cannot be a passive experience; get your students involved utilizing games and role-playing. Grammar exercises can be turned into participatory games that encourage students to think on their feet. Role-playing is essential for recreating real-world scenarios in which students would use their language skills. If your students are a bit younger, using rewards can help foster participation and engagement.