Demolishing the classroom walls
What’s outside the classroom can often provide more motivation than what’s inside it. For learners of English, this can be a positive benefit, as Núria Vidal points out.
As our students begin the long trudge back to the classroom, how much English have they been in contact with since the last time they were there? They’re constantly reminded of how their Nokia mobile phone is ‘Connecting people’, and when they drool over the latest Playstation upgrade they’re informed that ‘This is living’. An unsuccessful Google search might tell them that ‘This page cannot be found’. And how many of your younger students came back to class last year singing ‘You are the music in me’ ? It’s good to remember from time to time that our classes can be boundless and that learning can be so much more fun if we open them up to the English that surrounds us every day.
English is not a foreign language anymore…
Ask your students to carry a notebook in their pockets for a week and to write down any English word or sentence they may come across. Prepare a big blank poster with the title ‘English all around us’ and collect all their findings, as in the above picture. Once you’ve made your poster, ask them to work in groups and to fill in a grid like this:
English – at a place near you!
Ask them to reflect on the opportunities they have to use their English. The objectives should be more fun than academic. Most students regularly have to look for information for their studies. If they do this in English, chances are that they’ll find a greater variety of information as over 80% of homepages on the Internet are in English. If you think they’ll respond, set them a challenge to find information about a trip they would love to go on, or to visit an English-speaking restaurant in their town. They can share their experiences in a grid like this:
Making the most of technology
Encourage them to set up a blog (in English, of course!) where they can write down their English findings, such as a long list of ads, quotes from films, song sentences they have memorized or signs they’ve seen. Tell them to upload their favourite YouTube videos and to describe why they like them. It all helps them to become aware of the possibilities they have around them. Tell them about www.palabea.com and encourage them to find friends who can help them learn English. The site offers virtual language classes, podcasts created by other language learners and the chance to make contact with people from all around the world.
Finally, our students’ obsession with their mobile phones is something else we can turn to our advantage. Suggest they set their mobiles in English to become aware of the different functions and facilities. Teach them some SMS abbreviations so they can text each other in English. Here are some examples:
You can also suggest writing a set of rules for the use of mobile phones in the school, so mobile use does not interfere with other school activities.
Outside the classroom there’s a world of English waiting to be explored, just the other side of the classroom walls. Occasionally it’s nice to tear them down and see what’s there.
Núria Vidal teaches at the Official Language School in Esplugues de Llobregat, and at the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya.
The MacMillan Magazine © 2008 - Todos los derechos reservados - ISSN 1989-4120 | HomeContactSite MapTerms of UseArchive