Presentation title

WS9. Omani Co-educational Classes:  Getting Them To Work Together

Abstract

There has recently been a paradigm shift in ELT from focusing on form to using language in social settings.  For example, methodologies and approaches such as CLT hold that student social interaction is crucial for language learning.  However in the Gulf, students often do not interact in co-educational setting owing to local beliefs, attitudes and values regarding socializing across genders. The current workshop addresses three specific issues:  excessive shyness, classroom seating which is not conducive to interaction, and gender-imbalanced materials. Suggested solutions include   making concessions for shy female students, “groups on paper,” alternative seating arrangements, and re-evaluating materials.

Presenter 1

Ahmet Suleyman Bikmen, Mr.
Ibra College of Technology
Ahmet Bikmen has been working in the Gulf for the past three years. He aso worked in Istanbul, Turkey, for ten years.He holds an M.A. in ELT.

Presenter 2

Form of presentation

Workshop