Class-centred teaching
Hear Rose speak about class-centred teaching
'Class-centred teaching' is a new term in education. Coined by Rose Senior in 2002, class-centred teaching draws attention to the fact that classes of language learners - or indeed of any learners – function as groups. Class-centred teaching means recognizing that the quality of the class group influences the quality of the learning that occurs - and behaving in ways that encourage each class to function as cohesively as possible.
It is particularly important for teachers who wish the students in their classes to engage in interactive pair- or small-group tasks to behave in class-centred ways. Unless an overall spirit of cohesiveness (characterized by friendliness, supportiveness and mutual trust) prevails within the room, students will be unwilling to practise their speaking skills in class.
It is equally important to behave in class-centred ways when teaching large classes where it is appropriate that students listen and respond, rather than engage in small-group work. Class-centred teachers use a variety of techniques to encourage a positive whole-class atmosphere to develop. The collective enthusiastic mood of the class group then 'lifts' the performance of individual members.
All teachers can learn to teach in more class-centred ways - regardless of their individual circumstances, the syllabuses they follow and their preferred teaching styles. No teacher has classes that are easy to teach and to manage all the time. However, class-centred teachers can expect to have a higher proportion of classes that are harmonious, responsive and rewarding to teach.
To find out more about class-centred teaching read the following:
Senior, R. (2006). The Experience of Language Teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Senior, R. (2006). 'Class-centred teaching is successful teaching'. English Teaching Professional 46 (September issue), 71.
Senior, R. (2002). 'A class-centred approach to language teaching'. ELT Journal 56/4, 397-403.
