Speaker
Description
Jigsaw and information gap activities can empower language learners by fostering their autonomy, confidence, and resilience. Grounded in sociocultural theory (Vygotsky, 1978) and task-based language teaching (Ellis, 2003), these activities promote active engagement, meaningful communication, and learner autonomy through collaboration. When applied to teaching reading and grammar, jigsaw activities break down complex texts, encouraging learners to summarize and synthesize information, while information gap tasks create authentic contexts for practicing target structures through negotiating meaning. However, this application seems to be a challenge to inexperienced teachers when they teach mixed-ability classes or various classes of diverse proficiency levels. Lower-level learners are believed to benefit from scaffolded instructions and visual aids, while higher-level learners tackle complex tasks requiring critical thinking.
This workshop highlights the concept of dynamic peer interaction - a structured approach to maximizing collaborative learning opportunities and provides participants with practical insights into effective implementation of these techniques via a hands-on demonstration and an engaging activity. Participants will be able to pick up fresh ideas of how to inspire their students and foster a dynamic learning environment where learners take on leadership roles and build resilience.
Biography
Đinh Văn An (BA) is an EFL teacher at PTC Language Center in Nha Trang, Vietnam. With over six years of experience teaching English to young, adolescent, and adult learners, he specializes in fostering learner motivation, engagement, collaboration, and inclusive learning environments through innovative methods. As a frequent presenter at PTC workshops and forums, he actively shares strategies for creating dynamic and interactive classroom environments. His research interests include student-centered teaching, technology-integrated learning, inclusive pedagogy, and strategies to enhance classroom participation and motivation.
