The classroom: not just a physical space

Learning together...

The photo, above, one of you (Adam?) took during the technology session on our current CELTA course this morning. (I promised I'd show you the picture, but neglected to ask permission before publishing it here: I hope none of you mind...)

We began the session attempting to rank teacher, learners, materials, technology or some other thing, in terms of their importance in the language classroom.

One of you (Rohan?) suggested "space" as the "some other thing" -- and mentioned an attractive, quiet, physical space with a welcoming arrangement of chairs (etc), an idea which I liked very much.

In the photo, I'd suggest that we can make out another aspect of that space, a more metaphysical one, if you like. We've got people close together, working together, enjoying working together... a space it's actually pleasant to be in, that learners want to be in.