Teaching English as foreign language creatively
Hi There!
I've been teaching English in french Primary schools for 10 years, and though I always tried to make lessons attractive and creative , I have sometimes the feeling that it is still not enough! I would love to be in touch with people commited to introduce creativity in their english classes...here is my experience, let me konow about yours!
Some years ago I was translating in a wonderful "visualization workshop" run by an english lady named Hermione Eliott.At the end we were all offered to pick up a card...and mine was written " DARE TO BEE CREATIVE!"...this calling has been with me since then!
Last year, after a very special time, I suddenly felt the urge to write .... a musical. I did gathered all the songs I had taught the kids, and frm them, a theme appeared , a thread: we could use them to tell the story of a world council sending spies all over the world to find out clues to save the planet from global warming!
It has been a WONDERFUL experience: the kids involved were the ones with 2 to 3 years of english, they were the first to perceive the gift, then the other memebers of the staff....The childrenenthuusiasm has supported me during the gestation of the musical: 0 months! just like a baby....We created with the children the dialogues, the costumes, mums helped for the sets and my lovely husband helped with a great powerpoint projection to illustrate the movements from one country to the next....
The result were an amazing participation and motivationfrom children: they love snging, dancing and role playing! So that was it!
The question now for me is: how can I integrate this gret experience to the course of the english teaching from 7 years old kids to 11 years old ones?
As you all know, we do now have "standards" , the European portfolio gives indicationswhat children should be able to do when they enter secondary school...and this is OK with me...I'm just trying to figure out, how to be creative while teaching the basic steps 'you know: colours, numbers etc
and also most importantly: HOW CAN I REMAIN OPEN TO CHILDREN CREATIVITY AND ENTHUSIASM WHILE TEACHING DAILY
any experience any book any workshop will be welcome
Brianne
I've been teaching English in french Primary schools for 10 years, and though I always tried to make lessons attractive and creative , I have sometimes the feeling that it is still not enough! I would love to be in touch with people commited to introduce creativity in their english classes...here is my experience, let me konow about yours!
Some years ago I was translating in a wonderful "visualization workshop" run by an english lady named Hermione Eliott.At the end we were all offered to pick up a card...and mine was written " DARE TO BEE CREATIVE!"...this calling has been with me since then!
Last year, after a very special time, I suddenly felt the urge to write .... a musical. I did gathered all the songs I had taught the kids, and frm them, a theme appeared , a thread: we could use them to tell the story of a world council sending spies all over the world to find out clues to save the planet from global warming!
It has been a WONDERFUL experience: the kids involved were the ones with 2 to 3 years of english, they were the first to perceive the gift, then the other memebers of the staff....The childrenenthuusiasm has supported me during the gestation of the musical: 0 months! just like a baby....We created with the children the dialogues, the costumes, mums helped for the sets and my lovely husband helped with a great powerpoint projection to illustrate the movements from one country to the next....
The result were an amazing participation and motivationfrom children: they love snging, dancing and role playing! So that was it!
The question now for me is: how can I integrate this gret experience to the course of the english teaching from 7 years old kids to 11 years old ones?
As you all know, we do now have "standards" , the European portfolio gives indicationswhat children should be able to do when they enter secondary school...and this is OK with me...I'm just trying to figure out, how to be creative while teaching the basic steps 'you know: colours, numbers etc
and also most importantly: HOW CAN I REMAIN OPEN TO CHILDREN CREATIVITY AND ENTHUSIASM WHILE TEACHING DAILY
any experience any book any workshop will be welcome
Brianne
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dahlan on -
Hi Brianne, the show sounds amazing. So creative and diverse, the kids must have learnt so much more than what they might expect from the English language class. For the children to be inspired to learn English, then they must be fully engaged and curious to know more. I am not a teacher, and do not have any answers to your key question. The art to teaching creatively must lie in listening very closely to the pupils and giving them the opportunity to investigate their interests with in a particular framework (in this case, the English language). I have two boys and this is hard enough, I cannot imagine how this would work with a class of 25 or 30! There are two great books 'The Call To Brilliance' and 'What's the Point of School'. They are available through this website. Good luck and keep us posted.
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Permalink Reply by brianne DELCOURT on -
Thanks Dahlan for your reply: it is encouraging and thanks for the books ideas: I'm going to read them!
wishing you all the best with your own kids: they are such a gift on our path!!!!
Brianne
Dahlan said:Hi Brianne, the show sounds amazing. So creative and diverse, the kids must have learnt so much more than what they might expect from the English language class. For the children to be inspired to learn English, then they must be fully engaged and curious to know more. I am not a teacher, and do not have any answers to your key question. The art to teaching creatively must lie in listening very closely to the pupils and giving them the opportunity to investigate their interests with in a particular framework (in this case, the English language). I have two boys and this is hard enough, I cannot imagine how this would work with a class of 25 or 30! There are two great books 'The Call To Brilliance' and 'What's the Point of School'. They are available through this website. Good luck and keep us posted.
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