In-Person Classroom Teaching

Many LINC classes are taught in-person, in a physical classroom environment. Although there has been an increase in online and blended learning in recent years, classroom teaching is still commonplace in language teaching. One of the strengths of classroom teaching is that it can facilitate community building. Learners have many opportunities to get to know their instructor, their classmates and learners in other classes, both through formal learning and more informally before/ after class and on breaks. Learners can feel part of a wider learning community. They can also be connected to other resources and supports in their local community, through referrals, guest speakers and field trips. 



Classroom teaching supports a wide range of teaching styles, including task-based instruction, discussions, group work and project-based learning. Learners can work on their own, with a partner, in small groups or as part of the whole class, and similarly instructors can check in with and support individual learners. In-person classrooms can be print-rich environments with many resources on hand, such as reading materials and dictionaries, and in-person teaching can include hands-on learning, music and movement. Instructors can also provide a supported introduction to technology in the classroom for learners to increase their digital skills.


Classroom teaching can be adapted to any language and EAL literacy level. However, there can be issues with access, especially for learners who have young children at home, who live in rural areas or who live far away from a LINC provider. Some programs offer childcare, which can greatly assist learners with young children in accessing language learning. Some service providers offer multi-level classes and some place EAL literacy learners in Stage I classes. These classrooms can be more challenging for both teaching and learning.