Why is the arrangement of desks and chairs is important in EFL/ESL classrooms?

First of all, a classroom good arrangement, control and regulation encourage both instructor and
student for learning. The teacher must guide and arrange the desks and chairs according to the
environment and find ways and techniques for effective class interaction. Therefore, we can say that
arrangement of desks and chairs or good classroom arrangements are really important and have a
strong and positive effect on class discussion, both on student-student and teacher-student
interaction.

Are there learning activities for which the traditional classroom seating arrangement is the most
appropriate?

In my personal opinion, no. Because students and instructors need to do more activities and for
doing more activities they need to move around the class. In addition, if the desks and chairs
arrangement is not done in appropriate way so I think it will have a negative effect on teacher-
student and student-teacher interaction.

Choose two of the arrangements as shown in section 2.2. Explain the types of learning activities
for which they would be most appropriate. Compare and contrast.

I would like to choose and prefer semi-circle and students sitting in small groups:

1. Semi-circle: The semi-circle arrangement remove and limit some distractions in the class and as
well as the teacher can control and serve the students well.

From the name of semi-circle we know and say, it is based on groups, so it will be better for students
to actively participate in their lessons. In a semi-circle arrangement, students can easily and
comfortably move for various activities.

If we compare semi-circle with other arrangements, in my point of view semi-circle is good than
others because of this, students can equally participate in the discussion parts, easily and clearly
hear instructions from their instructor and communicate with classmates, easily move in the class,
the participants are face to face with each other and as importantly it might be enjoyable and
interesting for many students.
Also, if students sitting in back-to-back arrangement, maybe the last line students did not hear
clearly from the teacher, maybe do not focus and attention to their lectures, maybe boring for some
students, maybe no chance to discuss and participate an issue, but in a semi-circle, these and many
other points are opposite from sitting students back-to-back arrangement and some other
arrangements.

2. Students sitting in small groups: Students sitting in small groups arrangement focus on learning
where students want and are expected to work with each other. This arrangement may be good for
those students who are fearful to talk in large groups.

This arrangement is a practice and shows the way to communicate, explore and share your thoughts
in larger groups.

These two arrangements show us the contrast and compare with other arrangements, on which
both of them focus on good participation of students in the class. Finally, I would like to say that
both of these arrangements are good for us according to our environment because of this, in our
country in many schools the students still sitting on the floor, therefore, these arrangements are
good than others according to the environment.