Teaching English with Innovative Methods
Olimova Shahina Botirjon qizi
Student of Uzbekistan State World Language University
Abstract: As globalization is changing rapidly, knowing and understanding English has become more important and necessary than in past decades. English is a powerful communication bridge that connects people in various fields, such as business, science, and education, across nations. Therefore, the demand for English proficiency is high, and creative teaching methods could be a good solution to meet this request. This article analyzes innovative approaches to teaching English and explores useful methods for improving the quality of knowledge among students.
Keywords: innovative ideas, creative methods, CREAM strategy, knowledge acquisition, student engagement.
Introduction: Today, people are struggling with learning English and finding qualified teachers. That is why creating an attractive study environment and teaching students with innovative methods is crucial. Traditionally, teaching methods can seem boring to students, and it is not effective to enhance language skills. Through creative activities and innovative approaches, teachers can capture a student’s attention and make the lesson more engaging. Finding interactive methods can be challenging, but they can be achieved by the following strategies:
Materials and Methods:
Word Games
Students studying English as a second language often face challenges with learning new vocabulary. They struggle to remember vocabulary for long periods and use it effectively in writing and speaking. A solution to this problem could be word games. In this activity, teachers write new vocabulary on online flashcards with numbers. Then, students select a number and provide the definition of the word associated with that number. This method not only helps students learn new vocabulary but also improves their communication skills, which are essential in language learning.
Imposing Stories
Using stories in the educational process, especially for teaching foreign languages, makes lessons more captivating. Stories help students imagine real events and the characters’ situations. Simply asking questions based on the passages is not always effective, because students may focus on finding answers rather than engaging with the story itself. Instead, teachers can assign tasks where students must prepare a role-play in a chapter they like. This approach helps increase student engagement. Additionally, students will better understand the meaning of the story as they immerse themselves in the characters’ perspectives. While preparing for the role-play, students will collaborate with their peers, which helps develop teamwork skills. This strategy also aids teachers in maintaining students’ interest and making lessons more dynamic.
CREAM Strategy
The CREAM strategy is a combination of five key concepts: Creative, Reflective, Effective, Active, and Motivational. Each word carries its own meaning:
C-Creative: Teachers need to encourage students to use critical thinking and give tasks that develop problem-solving skills. This strategy can help students to nurture innovative ideas.
R-Reflective: Teachers should teach students how to analyze their own performance and find mistakes. It can help students to identify strengths and weaknesses and take valuable lessons from them.
E-Effective: In this approach, students learn to organize time, learn about the environment, and use digital technology. It allows students to save time and energy and focus on studying.
A-Active: Being active is a key element in the educational process. Teachers should encourage students to engage actively in lessons and explore further information related to the subject they are learning.
M-Motivational: Motivation is a powerful factor that impacts a student’s academic success. Teachers should reward students for their achievements and motivate them to achieve their goals. This helps students stay motivated and pursue their dreams.
Results and Discussions
This research was conducted over one month with students in a school setting. Teachers selected two classes for observation and research. The first group used traditional teaching methods, while the second group used the CREAM strategy. Before the intervention, only 5 percent (2 students) of the second group scored 5 on their English exams. However, after applying the CREAM strategy, the number of students who achieved higher scores increased to 50 percent (20 students). The first group, taught with traditional methods, showed no improvement in student performance.
Conclusion
Since English is the official language in many countries, the demand for teaching this language is high. Many teachers use various methods, including word games, storytelling, video presentations, the CREAM strategy, and other innovative approaches. These methods help achieve educational goals and improve the quality of teaching. Through creative teaching methods, students can expand their vocabulary and develop their comprehension skills. Furthermore, these methods encourage students to be more creative and engaged in lessons. Therefore, using innovative teaching strategies is crucial, as it contributes to enhancing the quality of education.
References:
1. Kumar, S., Kumar, R., Sankar, G. (2016). Creative thinking in English language teaching for secondary language learners. *International Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Culture*.
2. Anburaj, G., Christopher, G., Ming, N. (2014). Innovative methods of teaching the English language. *Journal of Humanities and Social Science*.
3. Kalyani, D., Rajasekaran, K. (2018). Innovative teaching and learning. *Journal of Applied and Advanced Research*.