We focus on student learning, using Project-Based approaches to language acquisition, helping students become world citizens who communicate in more than one language, with cross-cultural competence, and who seek to make the world a better place.
Out of School Learning Experiences
What kind of out of school learning experiences do you create in your foreign language classroom? Do your students participate in volunteer work, service learning projects, study abroad trips, fields trips, or other local or community events that involve the target culture and language? I would love to hear your ideas!
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project-based tasks
hi Elvera,
Perhaps one of the best motivating technique we can opt for as an out_of_school activity is to assing project work to volunteer students.The topics of these project work preferably bear uppon themes studied in the program.one of the merits of this in to help students demonstrate autonomous learning.
All the best
Quote: hi Elvera, Perhaps one
hi Elvera,
Perhaps one of the best motivating technique we can opt for as an out_of_school activity is to assing project work to volunteer students.The topics of these project work preferably bear uppon themes studied in the program.one of the merits of this in to help students demonstrate autonomous learning.
All the best
Brahim,
Excellent idea! Have you done any projects that involve volunteer work with your students? I would love to hear your thoughts.
10th-12th French teacher
I think that if my students can do anything, and I mean anything that involves interacting with a person or object in French outside the classroom, then I did something right. I believe they have to take baby steps towards testing their skills in the world. I always recommend starting with things they love to do. I will tell them things like “what is your favorite movie? Have you tried watching it in French? Have you tried subtitles? How about your favorite video game, can you set up the language to French? Have you tried switching your cell phone menu to French?” I constantly make that kind of suggestions to beginners.
After a while trying these simple practices, they will usually build enough confidence to directly interact with the foreign world.
We began by putting on plays
We began by putting on plays (memorized - simple), first for ourselves, then for younger classes, then the school and finally for parents - in French. See: AIM Language Learning. Lately, we have moved beyond the plays and invited a chef to spend a morning cooking with us - en français. Lots of scaffolding was involved, but the day was great. We have prepared introductory videos of ourselves to exchange with another school in the district. We have used Skype to talk with francophones (friends of mine). I think that having seen the materials on this site I can do all of these, more effectively and I am searching for other ideas as well.
This year we paired up with
This year we paired up with an intermediate class in another school an hour away. We held introductory conversations via Skype. These were great (2 on 2 to reduce stress) and authentic. Now the other school is coming to visit for a morning preparing food under the guidance of a local French chef, lunch together and a broom ball game after lunch - all in French of course.