Brainstorming is an activity whose purpose is to generate as many ideas as possible within a specified period of time.
Even if some of these ideas are not usable, they are not evaluated until the end of the activity because they’re viewed as a starting point for more workable ideas.
The main principle of brainstorming is: Lots of ideas lead to good ones.
Why Brainstorming Is Useful For Learners
Brainstorming is a useful tool in our classes because it:
- Provides a link between new and existing knowledge.
- Encourages learners to organize their knowledge.
- Activates learners to produce a wide range of passive vocabulary.
- Supports learners to create a series of connecting ideas.
- Allows learners to select the language to use in the subsequent speaking tasks.
- Helps learners to take the risk of making intelligent guesses to solve problems.
- Reduces learners’ anxiety and helps them feel more confident and obtain a sense of competence.
- Supports comprehension and develops productive skills.
Seven Types Of Brainstorming
There are many types of brainstorming. Below are some of them that can be explained easily and used with simple examples in the classroom.
1. Word lists
There are two kinds of word lists:
a) Lists based on a topic such as:
- List words to describe people’s appearance.
- List all the items you need for a camp.
- Make a list of the house furniture.
b) Lists based on a principle such as:
- Write down all foods that begin with each letter of the alphabet.
- List all the animals you know starting from the smallest ones.
2. Alternatives
Find alternatives for a blank in a sentence such as:
- The man got off his …………. and walked away.
- Peter lived in a …………
- I don’t like her because she is …………..
3. Using a picture
Pictures can be rich sources of inspiration for brainstorming. They can evoke a big variety of responses. In addition, pictures can develop learners’ critical thinking and imagination such as:
- What are the people in the picture doing?
- What objects can you see in the picture?
- What is the man thinking about?
- Write four words to describe the woman.
4. Using a song
Songs are wonderful for reducing nervousness. Play a song for the class and ask questions such as the following:
- How does the singer feel?
- What do you think the singer looks like?
- Suggest titles for the song.
- When do you think this song was written?
5. Using word/phrase mapping around a central theme
Write a word or a phrase in the centre of the board and encourage learners to write all words and phrases that link to it.
Word/phrase mapping can be useful for writing about similar things such as animals, foods, hobbies … etc.
6. Expressing a language function in different ways
This type of brainstorming encourages learners to use different ways of expressing a particular language function such as:
Ask someone to move his car
Answers could be:
- Please, move your car.
- Appreciate it if you could move your car.
- Your car is out of my way.
7. Prediction
Prediction can be used with dialogues and stories in textbooks.
For example:
- Guess what will the speaker say next?
- Guess what will happen next?
- Predict how will the story end.
It is a powerful technique to encourage learners to talk freely and express themselves without anxiety.
Conclusion
Types of brainstorming are very useful activities that can be introduced easily in the classroom to make learning enjoyable and create better learners so they are worth trying out in your classes.
Thanks For Reading
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