Neuroplasticity Concepts within ESL/EFL

As part of ELC Research Consultancy with the collaboration of the Professional Development committee initiative, Mr Rufus Isiorho gave an informative presentation on “Neuroplasticity Concepts within ESL/EFL” on 23rd of November 2018 at IbriCT. 

The three objectives of the presentation: Issues with high stakes testing, Neuroplasticity Concepts, and fostering grit in students, generated immense interest among the learned audience. 

The introduction of high stakes tests prompted the audience to air their views, the audience's perceptions and opinions were thought-provoking. Mr Rufus put across the negative aspects of the high stakes testing that listed high-stress levels during the week leading up to the test(s) and feelings of powerlessness and defeat. It also underlined the inability of teachers to claim that they use the curriculum in the best interest of their students, and the teachers within the audience agreed with the adverse effects of curriculum narrowing. Mr Isiorho listed surface learning/ memorisation and bullying as damaging factors that affect students within a high stakes testing curriculum.

An interesting video on mandated standardised tests roused interest in the concept, it captured the fears, rejections and rebuttal of parents who were of the firm opinion that the standardised tests do not help children to achieve high standards of intelligence; The parents also disagreed that test scores evaluate a child's level of intelligence. 

The presenter introduced the teachers to the Self-Determination Theory, which explains how people are centrally concerned with motivation. Another informative video on different concepts of Neuroplasticity showed that the brain is adaptable and not hardwired.  A new thought establishes new connections in the brain, and when someone stops thinking in a certain way over a period, the neural pathways disconnect. An individual can rewire their brain purposely and activate their creative abilities by focusing on new concepts/ activities, diligently, until the process becomes an automatic response, thereby the individual knows the connections have been made.

 ELC Teachers also benefitted from a TedTalk on education by Ms Angela Lee Duckworth. Ms Duckworth emphasised that educators need to have a better understanding of students' learning abilities from a motivational and psychological perspective. She stated that health, looks and IQ are not the significant predictors of success but that it is grit. Ms Duckworth defined grit as passion and perseverance, perseverance to stay focused on a goal until it has come into fruition. She came up with an interesting analogy that stated that girt was like a marathon and not a sprint to achieve a long-term goal. Ms Duckworth also observed that as educators and researchers, we know very little about how to build grit, but she prudently outlined grit as inversely related to measures of talent and intelligence.  

Mr Rufus used the video to demonstrate that although we as educators may not know how to build grit within our students, by teaching students about how powerful their brains are and simplified neuroplasticity concepts; it could be a step forward in getting students to develop a grittier mind set regarding their English language education.

The presentation was judiciously used by the teachers in the audience, to share their opinions robustly and were well received by the presenter.  

The event ended with a gentle reminder to ELC Staff  from Mr Jabez Syam . He requested teachers to take initiative to join the research groups and contribute to the growth of ELC.

Dr Sultan handed over the certificate of appreciation to Mr Rufus Isiorho for his informative presentation and contribution.