Prompt 1: Classroom Arrangement
Why is the arrangement of desks and chairs important in the ESL/EFL classroom?
One of the essential points of success both for teachers and students in the classroom
is effective communication. The amount and kind of communication that occurs in the
classroom almost depends on the seating arrangement. So it is necessary to obey the
rules that will lead to good results. For example, there should be close proximity
between teachers and learners so that they can easily communicate with one another.
When students feel a very comfortable atmosphere for communication they gain
confidence and interfere with the communication very easily in a confident voice and
their participation at the lesson gets enhanced. If we take into account that lessons are
different, in this case, our classroom interior can be changed based on our lessons.
Here are some examples of classroom seating arrangements I will have:
Semi-Circle: This type of classroom arrangement creates an opportunity to see
everything going on in front of the classroom and it is common for about 18 and 19
students but in case of need we can place additional students among the groups. Also,
we can add another semi-circle and create inner and outer circles. And in the
semi-circle arrangements, participants face each other, the teacher has space to ramble
about the room. For example, I arrange desks in rows as it provides a simple order of
seating to the classroom and minimizes the disturbance, also helps students to feel
comfortable. While arranging the seats, I try to pay attention to avoid being face to face
with windows because it can distract students when involved in the lesson. All in all,
good classroom furniture set up can help students focus on their studies but an
uncomfortable and multi-clustered classroom can distract them and lead to problems in
the class.
Another example is Table Groups which is the most amazing type of sitting
arrangement. This type is always useful for cooperative and group learning and as it
1
Why is the arrangement of desks and chairs important in the ESL/EFL classroom?
One of the essential points of success both for teachers and students in the classroom
is effective communication. The amount and kind of communication that occurs in the
classroom almost depends on the seating arrangement. So it is necessary to obey the
rules that will lead to good results. For example, there should be close proximity
between teachers and learners so that they can easily communicate with one another.
When students feel a very comfortable atmosphere for communication they gain
confidence and interfere with the communication very easily in a confident voice and
their participation at the lesson gets enhanced. If we take into account that lessons are
different, in this case, our classroom interior can be changed based on our lessons.
Here are some examples of classroom seating arrangements I will have:
Semi-Circle: This type of classroom arrangement creates an opportunity to see
everything going on in front of the classroom and it is common for about 18 and 19
students but in case of need we can place additional students among the groups. Also,
we can add another semi-circle and create inner and outer circles. And in the
semi-circle arrangements, participants face each other, the teacher has space to ramble
about the room. For example, I arrange desks in rows as it provides a simple order of
seating to the classroom and minimizes the disturbance, also helps students to feel
comfortable. While arranging the seats, I try to pay attention to avoid being face to face
with windows because it can distract students when involved in the lesson. All in all,
good classroom furniture set up can help students focus on their studies but an
uncomfortable and multi-clustered classroom can distract them and lead to problems in
the class.
Another example is Table Groups which is the most amazing type of sitting
arrangement. This type is always useful for cooperative and group learning and as it
1