Hello, my dear colleagues! Alice here, and I want to chat about a very personalized way to motivate students to learn English!
In the heart of my online English classroom, something magical happens—birthday celebrations! This week, a student and I designed a birthday cake in our virtual game world. We explored wishes, likes, dislikes, and learned a lot of birthday vocabulary. The result? An ecstatic student who not only enjoyed the lesson but remembered everything!
As teachers, you might wonder, do we celebrate birthdays in our class, and if so, how do we do it? The answer is a resounding yes! I believe in making each milestone special, and birthdays are no exception. My approach is not just about singing a virtual “Happy Birthday” (although we do that too), but about creating a holistic experience that leaves a lasting impact on the children’s English learning journey.
*Screenshot from Alice’s online birthday class at ELLoquent, her online school
Celebrating birthdays in our English classroom goes beyond a simple event; it’s a powerful moment that shapes your child’s learning experience. Here’s why:
1️⃣ Special – Fostering Positive Connections to Motivate Students to Learn English
Practical Online Classroom Activity: “Personalized Birthday Wishes”
Each student gets a special birthday moment where they share their preferences, and the class collaboratively creates personalized birthday wishes. This not only fosters a positive connection with the teacher but also strengthens the sense of uniqueness and importance each child holds.
2️⃣ Valued – Recognizing Each Child’s Individuality to Motivate Students to Learn English
Practical Online Classroom Activity: “Virtual Birthday Card Exchange”
I encourage students to create virtual birthday cards for their peers. This activity not only instills a sense of community but also communicates to each child that they are valued not just as students but as individuals with unique qualities.
3️⃣ Excited about Learning English – Weaving Fun into Language Learning to Motivate Students to Learn English
Practical online classroom activity: “Birthday Vocabulary Adventure”
I transform English lessons into a birthday-themed adventure. Engage students in fun language activities centered around birthday vocabulary. From creating birthday stories to playing virtual birthday-themed games, this approach infuses an element of joy into the learning process.
*Screenshot from Alice’s online birthday class at ELLoquent, her online school
Beyond the virtual cakes and balloons, celebrating birthdays in our English classroom serves a deeper purpose
1. Fostering Positive Connections: Every birthday becomes an opportunity for your child to shine. My “Personalized Birthday Wishes” activity ensures that your child is not just a student in a virtual classroom but an individual with unique qualities and preferences. The personal touch creates a positive bond between teacher and student, making the learning environment warmer and more encouraging.
2. Recognizing Each Child’s Individuality: In our “Virtual Birthday Card Exchange,” we take a moment to recognize and celebrate the diverse qualities of each child. The exchange of virtual birthday cards cultivates a sense of community, where students learn to appreciate and acknowledge each other’s individuality. This recognition goes beyond language learning; it’s about instilling values of inclusivity and respect.
3. Weaving Fun into Language Learning: Language learning doesn’t have to be mundane. My “Birthday Vocabulary Adventure” transforms the English lesson into a playful exploration. By engaging in birthday-themed language activities, students not only expand their vocabulary but also associate English learning with joyous experiences. This approach makes the language more relatable, memorable, and exciting for your child.
As we celebrate birthdays, we’re not just marking a date on the calendar; we’re creating memories, nurturing connections, and infusing the English learning journey with joy. My commitment goes beyond lessons; it’s about crafting an environment where your child feels special, valued, and excited about learning English.
To conclude
What do you think about celebrating birthdays online? These were example ideas for individual online ESL classes, but they can easily be adapted and expanded to fir a group lesson.
Wishing you and your little ones a world of happy birthdays and joyful English learning! 🎈📚
*Screenshot from Alice’s online birthday class at ELLoquent, her online school
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