Our CI Spanish program was desk free and our class groups are small.

I wanted to share that a key learning I hope we can carry back to whatever real time teaching becomes the new norm.

My anxious students are doing so much better. The ”fun” games and physical nature of class were hard for them. I have been able to see them anew and have set up small learning groups for them where they are now just starting to feel safe circumlocuting.

I have created large group synchronous drop in hours for all, but hand picked small groups for kids who are needing a boost. I’ve learned that those kids are almost all anxious socially.

This anxiety has crippled their willingness to practice circumlocution. They generally are hesitant to make mistakes or appear foolish by making sound effects or gestures or making drawings to communicate. They have been told to stay in Spanish or USE WHAT YOU KNOW, DRAW IT OR ACT IT OUT.

Shielding them in small groups or even 1on 1 has been a pleasure because I am finally seeing what they can do. I am able to address their basic skills, been their cheerleader, and am watching them as they gain the confidence and skills to enter the larger group conversations down the road.

Something about being in their own homes w the barrier of the computer, I think, has added to their comfort. The group dynamics has helped— knowing and agreeing to the groups, that make this arrangement even better than doing small groups face-to-face.

This would be an interesting study to pursue.