creativity in the esl classroom

It's good to get creative in any classroom. But what do we mean by 'creative' and why might it be a good thing? 

There's a very good overview in the introduction to this excellent guide, from Alan Maley and Nik Peachey writing for the British Council:

Creativity in the English language classroom

Here's a look at creativity in the ESL classroom:

Creative thinking is the ability to devise innovative, inventive approaches and solutions to problems. Creative thinking overlaps in some crucial respects with critical thinking. They both engage new and preexisting knowledge. They are also both often involved with problem-solving and decision-making. Finally, both creativity and critical thinking can be triggered by the individual’s curiosity about a specific topic. A 21st-century skill, or “soft skill,” creative thinking is now considered an important feature in education, valued by employers, and necessary to prepare students to enter the workforce. These 21st-century skills are sometimes referred to as the Four C’s: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication. But, what does it mean to promote creative thinking in ESL, specifically?

Unleashing the Power of Creative Thinking in the ESL Classroom

Here are some great lesson ideas from the latest E L Gazette:

TIME TO GET POLITICAL
How one class used performing arts to address real world issues

WE NEED TO COMMUNICATE
Teaching communication skills through group projects in digital media

THE BIGGER PICTURE
We chat with an artist and writer about how being bilingual has influenced her work

IN TIMES OF WAR
Teachers and students across three countries use creativity to support those in need

LOOSEN UP
Using ‘loose parts play’ with very young learners

Finally, here's a recent academic study:

Infusing creative pedagogy into an English as a foreign language classroom: Learning performance, creativity, and motivation - ScienceDirect

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