Advantages of the Case Study to the Language Teacher

Advantages of the Case Study to the Language Teacher

Many teachers shy away from using case studies in the classroom situation for many reasons. First of all, they may feel that they will be engulfed in the content aspect of the case study and lose face before their students. Secondly, they may not be comfortable with the role shift in their teaching - from teacher to facilitator. Finally, teachers who are used to a transmission style of teaching may feel that teaching is not really happening if they use simulations or case studies.

However, the advantages of case studies are numerous. Some of them are set out below:

1.    to develop critical thinking and reflective learning in the learner.

2.    to improve the student’s organisational skills -  as case studies are sometimes very dense in information, the key is to condense this information into logical sections and organise them so that a clear picture of the problem/issue can be understood

3.    to enhance communication skills - case studies can be used to improve the student’s written and oral communication. Non-verbal communication skills are also practised by using case studies

4.    to train managerial communication skills such as holding a meeting, negotiating a contract, giving a presentation etc. Case studies force students into real-life situations to require them to get involved in managerial communication.

5.    to encourage collaborative learning and team-working skills in the language learner.