Response 2a: Inquiry-based learning for teaching EFL by Julie Amauchi

Julie wrote about inquiry-based learning environments, and how they apply to English as a Foreign Language learners. 

First and foremost, this post was incredibly easy to read! It was clear and concise.

I really like that inquiry-based learning provides a framework to prioritize the student’s path in learning, rather than having an instruction/instructor-centered lesson. It reflects Julie’s previous post where she wrote: “instructional design is flexible and dynamic; it is changeable throughout the learner’s study path according to each situation, topic, or previous learning experiences.” (Very wise words.)

The teacher-student relationship Julie describes also seems closer to a mentor-mentee relationship that lends well to constructivist learning theory (my preferred learning theory from the first blog prompt). The role of an instructor as a facilitator for self-learning and self-discovery leaves a supported but expansive and unlimited opportunity for the learner to direct their studies to a place that personally interests them and holds meaning. This learner-centred approach could also be structured to loosely align with Merrill’s outline for motivation as an outcome, if motivation wasn’t already found through individual interest in the inquiry-based learning environment.

Just as Julie described, I agree that inquiry-based learning environments will be beneficial English as a Foreign Language learners with little-to-no limitations!

– SC