ANU Language Teaching Forum

Responding to Covid with Peer-to-peer Learning: A Model from Intermediate French

• Friday 6 November 4:15-5:15pm
• Online via Zoom
• Presenters: Leslie Barnes and Gemma King . 

Abstract

In response to the Covid pandemic and with an eye toward the sustainability of our teaching in an online format, we have established a peer-to-peer learning model for Intermediate French. This model draws on second-language classroom pedagogy and the latest thinking on synchronous/asynchronous classroom activities and peer-to-peer learning to rethink content delivery in a time of rapidly increasing “Zoom fatigue.” With this delivery model, students are put into groups of 3 for bi-weekly peer-to-peer sessions, which meet for 45 minutes prior to the class Zoom session, at a time and place agreed upon within the group. These sessions are followed by truncated bi-weekly Zoom sessions, during which students reinforce the course content with the aid of the instructor. The results of our trials to date suggest that the model is a success. Students develop a sense of responsibility for the material and their partners, pushing themselves and each other to explore the course content in greater depth and cultivating increased levels confidence in themselves as teachers and learners. This presentation will detail the rational and practice of the peer-to-peer model before considering some of the challenges and reviewing the qualitative results of our study.

For Zoom log-in details or more information about the ANU Language Teaching Forum, please contact Dr Wesley Lim, School of Literature, Languages & Linguistics Wesley.Lim@anu.edu.au or 6125 2785

Link to a recording of the presentation available later on request to Dr Lim.