Foreign Language Teaching Methods: Classroom Management

Comfort in the Classroom

When asked to design their dream classrooms, our language teachers often commented about the importance of comfort in the classroom. We often think of comfort in terms of creating an atmosphere that is free of anxiety (to the degree that it is possible) and conducive to active participation.

In the context of comfort, we often talked about ways to establish and demonstrate our "ownership" of the classroom.

Bookcases, sofas, refrigerators, closets, desks, chairs, computers--how much room is left for the individual student? Let's look at the classroom design guide for Emory College (2008), which will give us an idea of how colleges think about the issue of room per student.

*instructor space included in "square feet per student" Source: Emory College classroom design guide.
square feet per student*	maximum capacity	room type	anticipated furnishings
27 to 33	20	seminar	movable tables and chairs
28 to 30	12-18	conference	one large table and chairs
24 to 28	45	classroom	tablet arm chairs
23 to 25	45	classroom	movable tables and chairs
25 to 27	45	classroom	fixed table and movable chairs
18 to 22	200	auditorium	auditorium seats with tablet arm
25 to 30	200	auditorium	fixed table with movable chairs

How large would a classroom have to be in order to accommodate all these furnishings? What are we willing to give up in order to allow the optimal square feet per student? As with technology, faculty and student input is critical when it comes to furnishing our classrooms. Seek the opportunity to make your voice heard!