Teaching units to lower language anxiety for 8th and 9th grade ESL students in Puerto Rico

Abstract

This thesis includes three teaching units to lower language anxiety in the ESL classroom using innovative teaching strategies and techniques that are relevant to teenagers' interests at the 8th and 9th grade secondary levels in Puerto Rico. The thesis offers a number of creative dramatics techniques such as role-playing, improvisation, drama in the classroom and characterization exercises that deal with real life situations. It also includes a video game unit promoting the use of English in the classroom by motivating student participation, thus creating an effective learning environment. The thesis concludes with a thematic reading unit dealing with bullying in schools and reinforcing the values of students’ social awareness of how to cope with this situation. With units such as these three, the student is motivated to learn English as a second language.