Experiential learning has an important role in learning as it is the foundation of the learning process. According to the Oxford dictionary, experience means the skill or the knowledge that someone developed by doing something for a period of time. Learning means someone developed a skill or knowledge from experience. Therefore, learning and experience has a close relationship with each other.
The Experiential learning theory was introduced by Kolb. In Kolb’s theory, he states that learning is a process, people learn from past experience. Leaning has to go back and forward in the problem that the student found difficult, and which create learning process. The Learning environment affect learning process, and lastly, learning result in creating a new experience and knowledge. Kolb has four stages in his theory, First, Concrete Experience. Second, Reflective Observation. Third, Abstract Conceptualization and lasty, Active Experimentation. These stages build upon each other and learning a new language must occur in these cycles (Bohon, Mc Kelvey, Rhodes & Robnelt ,2017, pp. 614).
Some journal article had shown that the Experiential learning theory is very useful in teaching a language. In the “Problem-based learning: An experiential strategy for english language teacher education in chile.” Article, Muñoz shown that the learning environment and experience had improved after the experimental learning theory adopted and introduced in teaching English in Chile. Furthermore, another journal article “Training for content teachers of english language learners: Using experiential learning to improve instruction.” Had also shown that students tend to lose interest and develop a negative attitude very easily in learning a new skill when the teacher tutor beside the student instead of letting the student experience the learning process (Bohon, Mc Kelvey, Rhodes & Robnelt ,2017, pp. 617).
Therefore, the blueprint of my pod is using the experiential learning theory in teaching students Cantonese. The students in the class will have to speak as much Cantonese as they could. Cantopop (Cantonese music) will also play during class time. This creates a learning experience which is the first stage of Kolb’s experiential learning theory (Concrete Experience) by developing the basic knowledge of how Cantonese sound like and gain the fundamental knowledge of the Cantonese language (the phonology of Cantonese). After the students have developed the basic knowledge of Cantonese, the students will have to do some textbook exercise, so the student could know their level of understanding of the class, which is also the second stage of the Experiential learning theory (Reflective Observation). Next, there will be a in class quiz to test their Cantonese skills, which is Abstract Conceptualization. And lastly, there will be an oral exam and a final. The student could use their knowledge that they gained from the course and apply it to the exams, which is the last step of the Kolb’s theory.
The Experiential learning theory should help the students in the course to have a good understanding of the Cantonese language and Hong Kong culture, by providing a good learning environment to the students using Kolb’s theory.
Reference:
Muñoz Campos, D. (2017). Problem-based learning: An experiential strategy for english language teacher education in chile. PROFILE Issues in Teachers’ Professional Development, 19(1), 29-40. https://doi.org/10.15446/profile.v19n1.53310
Bohon, L. L., McKelvey, S., Rhodes, J. A., & Robnolt, V. J. (2017). Training for content teachers of english language learners: Using experiential learning to improve instruction. Teacher Development, 21(5), 609-634. https://doi.org/10.1080/13664530.2016.1277256
