‘ Authentically English’

IX’ 2000

DEVELOPING PROJECT WORK IN THE ENGLISH CLASSROOM

GENERAL AIMS OF PROJECT WORK

·         Helps SS attain communicative competence.

·         Encourages spontaneous expression.

·         Reinforces SS’ linguistic abilities & develops their own learning capacity.

·         Makes SS use English by exchanging ideas, feelings, and information.

·         Increases SS’ ability to read basic texts.

·         Contributes to the integral & social development of the SS by active  methodology, based on groupwork.

·         Contributes to SS’ intelectual development.

ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT WORK

·         Adds variety to the range of learning situations.

·         Used to change the pace & maintain motivation.

·         Changes the role of the teacher, reduces the T- S distance.

·         Increases SS communication & reduces  T’s domination.

HOW TO DEVELOP PROJECT WORK?

1)           A working plan inside the classroom. Initial discussions, SS’ comments & suggestions of the topics they’re most interested in, establishing the topic, negotiating of the content & objectives, prediction of the lg needed, formation of groups & tasks division.

2)         A working plan outside the classroom. Street research, interviews & recordings, collecting materials & information. MAKE SURE THE SS ARE WELL MOTIVATED AT THIS STAGE.

3)         Checking project work. (all stages) The work has begun. Go through all the groups immediately after sessions. Ask the SS to present a rough copy of the final version for initial feedback.

WHAT PROJECTS TO DO?

Include detailed reports containing: time, level, objectives, place, materials needed, planning (done by the T & the SS), organization, lg skills emphasized, follow- up.

METHODOLOGY

·         The SS’s role: use lg in a practical way, participate actively in groupwork, become independent of the T & involved in a social interaction.

·         The T’s role: be a participant, coordinator, evaluator, develop strategies, form trust between the T & the SS, plan carefully, supply constant stimuli.

EVALUATION

This should contribute to the SS’ abilty to reflect on & take responsibility & active part in the educational process within & outside the classroom.

·         Evaluate the entire process leading to the completed project.

·         Take it all along, with continuous feedback sessions.

·         Develop explicit criteria & negotiate them with the SS to be more objective.

·         SS evaluate themselves, the whole group & the T.

·         T evaluates the whole class & each group.