The Future of Education

The continued demand and unique learning environment for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners is ever changing as educators focus on best practices to promote optimal learning for 21st century students. Central to the demand for revitalizing the classroom experience is to prepare students to enter the evolving workforce, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Expert EFL skills are often tantamount to achieving success in this endeavor and keeping up with the rapid pace of learning. Not only are EFL students expected to demonstrate observable and measurable English skills, they need to exhibit strengths critical to cross disciplinary fields as well as collaborative active learning methods. This presentation includes instructional methods that focus on “tried and true” active learning environments, highlighting experiences from STEM disciplines, and emphasizing direct EFL preparation to ensure success and promote purposeful collaboration and engaged English learning. Teaching strategies and methodologies focusing on active, hands-on learning in the EFL classroom will be discussed. Challenging activities will be suggested that can be adjusted for a variety of abilities across age groups featuring key transferable English language competencies. Exploration of best practices that build a culture of innovation and prepare students for EFL and STEM content areas will be addressed. This type of curriculum offers strategies integral to EFL learning with focused interactions among students and teachers. Diaz Frias points out that teaching a second language implies a series of detailed processes which are focused on a communicative approach [1]. Future focused EFL pedagogy and coursework reflecting cross disciplinary content and creatively engaged and involved students in an inclusive learning environment will be discussed along with accompanying assessment methods to build on students’ strengths and prior knowledge. An identified need for a multilingual, multicultural, and information and communication technology-driven society is a shift from a monolingual to a multilingual paradigm [2]. The goal is to demonstrate positive outcomes in both content and communication in a vibrant EFL learning environment as students confront rigorous expectations. These collaborative connections interwoven with hands on methodologies and active learning featuring evidence-based best practices and accomplishments will ensure optimum learning for EFL students as they set active goals integral to their success.