MFEA-78 TG - Book - Page 16
c. Using Max the Puppet in the Classroom
Puppets are a very important teaching tool in educational programs for young
learners. In My First English Adventure Max is used regularly in class to engage
and motivate pupils, and help break down their inhibitions about speaking a new
language. He becomes another English speaker in the classroom through which the
teacher “converses” during morning introductions and greetings, when singing songs,
giving instructions, reviewing pupil’s work, playing games and praising pupils for
their participation or accomplishments. Max can “model” questions, responses and
dialogues, and is a very cooperative pair work partner!
d. Choral and Individual Repetition
Pupils must be active users of the foreign language in order to learn it. Repetition of
vocabulary and language chunks and expressions helps pupils internalize the foreign
language. Repetition can be choral or individual. Choral repetition is a motivating way
to get pupils to participate actively in the lesson while reinforcing target vocabulary and
language. It builds confidence, and allows even the timid or “slower” pupil to practice
using the language without focusing attention on him/herself. Pupils can participate
in chants, songs and interactive reading chorally, adding movements. Clapping their
hands or stamping their feet adds an additional physical response to the choral reading
activity, further involving the pupils in the language-using experience.
e. Cooperative Learning
Using a language is a “social” activity. When learning a new language, situations must
be created so that pupils have as many opportunities to interact with each other
in order to make sense of and create meaning in the new language. Engaging in
cooperative learning puts the responsibility for learning on the pupils themselves and
fosters important social skills such as willingness to listen and help each other.
This program provides a multitude of such opportunities, through the games that can
be done in pairs or in teams, and through the activities in the Activity Books. Teachers
should let pupils “pair up” when doing the activities so that they can learn from each
other and help each other solve any problems they might encounter when completing
the tasks. Even if they speak in L1 when completing the task, the ultimate response to
the activity will have to be in the foreign language. Larger activities, such as creating
group posters or class books also appear in the materials.
Group activities can also be done by turning the games in the lesson into group
competitions. Different organizing devices for “grouping” pupils can also be used in
order to make sure that there is a mixed ability population in each group. One good
technique is to use colored chips and hand them out to the pupils. Then have them sit
in groups according the color on their chips.
f. Additional Practice
Adventure City website contains over 100 hours of extension and review activities.
These tasks can be completed during school time when English class is conducted in
the computer room or at home for additional practice.
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