How do I stimulate my students’ imaginations?
This can be the most difficult question when dealing with Chinese students. For years they’ve been taught to simply memorize information and regurgitate that information on a test. There is very little room for independent thought or vivid imagination in the Chinese education system.
In an ESL classroom a big part of creating an effective learning environment is the content and participation generated by students. If students can’t be creative, engaging, and open then it can lead to a very dry, boring, and quite class.
In this article I’m offering two general methods of stimulating students to open their minds and mouths at the same time.
1. Use popular culture
Students come alive when they hear their favorite singer or TV show mentioned. I believe the first step in making something creative is copying something that already exists. Involve students in activities where they can imitate their favorite pop stars. Then have them change a few things to make it unique. Soon enough, they’ve created their very own song or TV show.
2. Give students guidelines that foster imaginative thinking
Chinese students operate very well under clear guidelines, as this is what they are used to. I always use guidelines or question sets to force them into something creative and innovative. For example, give students a problem that needs to be solved (e.g. thieves are stealing from the supermarket you own every day and you are losing money) and offer them guidelines in order to solve the problem in a creative way (e.g. you must find a way to stop the thieves but you also must find a way to make the thieves become friends with you). As always, it helps to provide students with a few of your own creative examples. It lets them know that it is OK to say something silly.