Special lessons?

[Iraberezhany]

Hi, Alan
I was thinking how do we call a lesson that is not standard. I conduct lessons at school and I need this information. Is there a special term for such kind of a lesson?
Thanks

[Jamie (K)]

First we need you to explain what you mean by "not standard".

[Iraberezhany]

The lessons with the unordinary structure, different games, imitation, improvisation, work in groups or in pairs. In the internet I found that such lessons can be called " non-standart ". But what do you think?

[Jamie (K)]

First I have to know what you mean by lessons with an ordinary structure.

I'm not trying to be funny. Use of games, imitation, improvisation, and especially work in groups or in pairs, are all part of normal, standard lessons in the West, so I have never heard a general term for those methods. We use an eclectic approach, and various techniques are used during a normal lesson.

I think you must be seeing a separation due to the traditional East European method of teaching languages, which mainly involved a teacher standing in the front of the room saying, "Bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla," and then calling students up to the front to regurgitate memorized material. (I know about this, because I taught in that part of the world for a few years.) The problem is that this is not an ordinary lesson for us in the English-speaking countries, because languages have not been taught that way for at least half a century.

[Iraberezhany]

Thanks for your letter. Of course we use an eclectic approach and different techniques. When I studied at the university we had lots of volunteers from Canada, England... . They taught us how to conduct a lesson and I'm very thankful.
Thank you

[Jamie (K)]

[Iraberezhany]

Yes of course.