Learning with and from Others: The Importance of the Social Environment for Learning

Diana Bauducco presented on 'Learning with and from Others: The Importance of the Social Environment for Learning' at the 7th online Future of English Language Teaching Conference.

See the video recording below:

Abstract

We sometimes (mistakenly) assume that given the right materials, the right aims, the right plans, the right method the right equipment, etc. learning will be more or less guaranteed. We need to move beyond this traditional idea that links learning success to mostly external academic factors and start examining the human elements that can facilitate or hinder learning.

We have a social brain that evolved in a tribal context and prefers to do things with others, including learning (Sousa, 2017; Tokuhama-Espinosa 2019). Based on the social brain principle, Cozolino (2013) vows for educators to recognise the complex connections between emotions and the social environment we live and learn in, and in turn, between emotions and cognition. Belonging, affiliation, emotional safety, etc. all play a key role in our classrooms that is sometimes overlooked or dismissed as not important. For Cozolino and other neuroscientists, human connections and the social environment can determine the failure or success of learning in any classroom.

This session will firstly explore the relationship between our social brain and the learning process. It will start by describing how the brain has been wired to learn with others and from others, and how the learning climate can operate in favour or against learners. It will continue to explore how we can facilitate English language learning by creating safe and inclusive learning communities where the right learning conditions are met.

About the presenter

Diana has been working on ELT for the last 13 years. She holds a BA in EFL, a degree in Linguistics and a Trinity DipTESOL. She is now Academic Content Manager for Young Learners at IH London where she works in materials development and supports staff in the YLs programmes. In the last couple of years, Diana has taken a deep interest in brain-friendly teaching and the not-so-mainstream aspects that can influence learning.