Ice-breaker

An introductory activity that a teacher uses at the start of a new course so that learners can get to know each other.

ICT / IT (Information [Communication] Technology)

The use of computers to enable learners to improve information-processing skills, to explore ideas, to solve problems, to access and surf the internet, to develop collaborative learning with students who are in other places, to participate in video conferencing. The subject is referred to as ICT, the skills used are IT skills and the lab is known as the IT lab. To sum, this includes hardware such as computers, video recorders, radio, television, Overhead Projectors (OHP), interactive whiteboards etc. and software such as narrative media (e.g. videos, web pages), interactive media, adaptive media (computer programmes that give feedback, like

simulations and modelling), communicative media (e.g. a discussion forum), and productive media (e.g. Word, PowerPoint).

Immersion method

This simulates the way in which children acquire their mother tongue. The learner is surrounded by the foreign language, with no deliberate or organized teaching programme. The learner absorbs the target language naturally without conscious effort.

Immersion program

In an elementary school immersion program, students are fully immersed in the language of instruction, as opposed to the traditional approach of teaching the language as a subject in itself. Such programs are widespread in many countries, and there is a significant body of research which indicates that children in such programs generally out-perform their peers in all subjects in traditional single language programs. The next answer describes in more detail the kinds of immersion programs.

Independent learning

~ is a process involving learners who choose their own learning objectives and learning paths according to perceived personal needs, aspirations, and preferred modes of learning. Independent learning does not exclude the help of a teacher who may guide the process.