Experiential Learning Method

(ELM)
Presented by:
Sherly Sim

Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS)

TESOL Certificate Program Fall 2014

Experiential Learning Method

According to David A. Kolb, an American
educational theorist, knowledge is
continuously gained through both personal
and environmental experiences. Kolb states
that in order to gain genuine knowledge
from an experience, certain abilities are
required:
The learner must be willing to be actively involved

David A. Kolb

in the experience;
The learner must be able to reflect on the
experience;
The learner must possess and use analytical skills
to conceptualize the experience; and
The learner must possess decision making and
problem solving skills in order to use the new
ideas gained from the experience.

Experiential Learning Method

In the early 1970s, Kolb and Ron Fry
developed the Experiential Learning
Model (ELM), composed of four
elements:
concrete experience (CE),
observation of and reflection on
that experience (RO),
formation of abstract concepts
based upon the reflection (AC),
testing the new concepts (AE),
(repeat).

The Four Learning Styles

DIVERGER

ASSIMILATOR

CONVERGER

ACCOMMODATOR

feeling and watching

CE/RO

thinking and watching

AC/RO

thinking and doing

AC/AE

feeling and doing

CE/AE

prefers to watch rather

than do
likes to gather
information and
brainstorm
will use imagination to
problem solve
is able to look at things
from different
perspectives
generates ideas and
prefers group work
learning
is sensitive, imaginative
and emotional
will have broad cultural
interests
is interested in people
will listen with an open
mind
will accept personal
feedback.

requires good, clear

explanation rather than
practical opportunity
prefers readings,
lectures, exploring
models and theories
needs time to think
things through
will have a concise,
logical approach to
learning
will organise
information clearly and
logically
considers ideas and
concepts are important
creates models/theories
will have a preference
for abstract ideas and
theories - less focused on
people.

solves problems
uses learning to find
solutions to practical
situations
prefers technical tasks
likes to experiment
with new ideas, to
simulate and to work
with practical
applications
finds practical uses for
ideas and problems
prefers practical
problem solving rather
than dealing with social
or interpersonal issues.

prefers learning that is

"hands-on"
acts on "gut" and
intuition rather than logic
takes a practical,
experiential approach
is attracted to new
challenges and
experiences
relies on others for
information and problem
solving rather than carry
out own analysis
prefers to work in teams
sets targets and actively
works to achieve them

Kolbs Learning Style

Experiential Learning Activities for the

ESL Classroom
Making a poster
Making a PowerPoint

presentation
Conducting an interview
Re-Branding a

commonly used product

Dramatizations

Role-plays
Journaling

Making a video
Situational English

Making a mock job or

travel fair where each

group represents a
different profession or
country

Writing a research paper

Making a trip itinerary

Teach a class where

Creating a survival English

booklet
Debates
Re-writing and illustrating

fairy tales
Making or joining a book

bringing the world to the

club
classroom (restaurant,
Creating a class website
airport, etc.)
Doing a magic show
Making a music video
Creating a gameshow

Making a social etiquette

book to help travelers or

business people new to
their country

they design and

implement an English
lesson, teaching it to the
class.
Create a treasure hunt

using clues (or even QR

codes?)
Organizing a Fundraiser
Making a comic book
Puppet show

Experiential Learning in Schools

Think Global School is a four-year travelling high school

that holds classes in a new country each term. Students

engage in experiential learning through activities such as
workshops, cultural exchanges, museum tours, and
nature expeditions.
The Dawson School in Boulder, Colorado, devotes two
weeks of each school year to experiential learning, with
students visiting surrounding states to engage in
community service, visit museums and scientific
institutions, and engage in activities such as mountain
biking, backpacking, and canoeing.

I hear and I forget.

I see and I remember.
I do and I understand.
- Confucius

Sources:
http://www.simplypsychology.org/learning-kolb.html
http://www.jcu.edu.au/wiledpack/modules/fsl/JCU_090

344.html