Often, it is by asking questions that we build up an understanding of what makes up a particular community. For example, what does a language-learning community require? What about a language-loving community? How can I tell this is a language-loving and –learning community? What do I see/hear? How can I tell what the community values are? What are barriers or impediments to the success of our community? Our answers will inform our actions as we seek to build such a community, and as you consider this framework for your own classes, your answers may lead you to different outcomes, activities, and elements.
As I understand it, a language-learning community requires the following atmospheres, which I will refer to as climates in order to concretize the concept a bit for students:
A calm climate where language can be heard and processing can happen
(This requires rules, order, structure, and respect of that need.)
A safe climate where mistakes can be made without blame or insult
(This requires trust, solid commitment, and fierce protection.)
A productive climate where language can be practiced
(In addition to the qualities required in the first two climates, this requires preparedness as well, on the parts of both the student and the teacher.)
A language-learning community also requires a variety of scaffolds and supports for students to be able to learn, to understand, to discover, and to realize their errors, all at their own paces.
The following is a model for a way to consider how we speak about our community environment in class. As always, I try for simple structures that students can apply in various scenarios in combination with other vocabulary, and use cognate vocabulary whenever possible. In the Rules and Values section of this unit, there is a subsection on "Affirmations" that will speak to ways affirmations can be used in class.
Guiding Affirmation: Le climat ici est calme, sûr, et productif.
(The climate here is calm, safe, and productive.)
Questions to Ask: Est-ce que le climat est [calme, sûr, productif] à ce moment?
Is the climate (calm, safe, productive) at this moment?
Positive Responses: Oui, la classe est calme. / je me sens calme.
(Yes, class is calm. / I feel calm.)
Negative Responses: Non, c'est nécessaire que la classe se calme. / que je me calme.
(No, class needs to calm down. / I need to calm down.)
