Premium
Creative Problem‐Solving for the Foreign Language Class
Author(s) -
Sadow Stephen A.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
foreign language annals
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.258
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1944-9720
pISSN - 0015-718X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1944-9720.1983.tb01434.x
Subject(s) - creativity , class (philosophy) , foreign language , mathematics education , comprehension , creative thinking , creative problem solving , psychology , pedagogy , sample (material) , linguistics , computer science , social psychology , artificial intelligence , philosophy , chemistry , chromatography
A bstract Small‐group activities which require problem‐solving allow students to practice creative thinking and foreign language skills simultaneously. Known techniques for stimulating creativity can be adapted to the language class. In the model suggested, creative problem‐solving activities are built around problems that are clearly defined, admit many possible solutions, and entail a situation in which reality is slightly skewed. While working in small groups, students practice role‐play by becoming “experts” in the matter at hand. Through the use of a recording secretary, the group is held accountable for its time. The teacher prepares the activity beforehand, tells the class the problem, checks comprehension, elicits questions that will help the students structure their discussion, divides the class, and withdraws from the scene. When enough time has elapsed, discussion is halted and the secretaries read their reports. Three sample activities are included at the end of the article.