Design Thinking in the EFL classroom

1. Design Thinking
IdeateUnderstand Prototype Test Feedback

3. Design Thinking
• is a way of thinking to solve
problems
• is about asking the right
questions
• enables creative and critical
thinking in the target language

4. What questions were or weren’t asked in the
design process of these products?

5. 10 Principles of Design Thinking
Purpose
Insight
Inspiration
Letting go
Contextuality
Simplicity
Functionality
User focus
Foresight
Sustainability

6. What does Design Thinking look like
in an English Language classroom?
Why do we need it?

7. A typical discussion:
Auckland City Centre has too much traffic.
Think of at least three solutions to the
problem.

8. Student A: The government should improve public
transportation.
Student B: Yes, and the government should make
public transportation cheaper.
Student C: The government should make rules
about cars in the city centre.
All Students: Teacher finished!

9. Final thoughts:
• Integrate thinking and language learning – don’t
treat them as separate entities
• Re-design tasks to encourage analytical and
creative thinking by asking the right QUESTIONS