Speaking Activities in the Foreign Language ClassMr. Stéphane Thos
MY BACKGROUND
JAKARTA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
THE HIGH SCHOOL MODERN LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
LANGUAGES A: KOREAN, JAPANESE, INDONESIAN, MOTHER TONGUE
LANGUAGES B: INDONESIAN, FRENCH, SPANISH, JAPANESE, MANDARIN
DESCRIPTION OF SPEAKING ACTIVITIES THAT CAN BE USED IN THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASS
THE CONTEXT: LANGUAGES B PROGRAM.
DEPARTMENT POLICY : SPEAKING / LISTENING ACTIVITIES: 30-40 % OF THE GRADE
ACTIVITIES THAT CAN BE USED AT ALL LEVELS. IB AND PRE-IB CLASSES.
3 MAIN TYPES:
- INDIVIDUAL ORAL: DISCUSSION INVOLVING THE TEACHER
- INTERACTIVE ORAL ACTIVITIES: STUDENTS’ DISCUSSION. ROLE –PLAY, DEBATE, ORAL PRESENTATION
- “ LIGHTER “ ACTIVITIES: ORAL GAMES, SONGS.
UNDERLYING LEARNING PHILOSOPHY:
- CLASS TIME : STUDENTS CAN PRACTICE SPEAKING SKILLS.
- IT MAKES CLASS FUN, ENGAGING
- CLASSES SHOULD NOT BE TEACHER-CENTERED
- A DEPARTMENTAL STRUCTURE TO TEACH AND GRADE SPEAKING
Individual oral
Ultimate goal : prepare students for a 10 –minute interview the day of the
exam
Gradual approach.
Individual oral done at every unit test.
Approach to the
individual oral
Each unit has 4 or 5 objectives
Each objective is orally assessed on the day of
the test.
We always start from a text.
Text-comprehension
Grammar explained
Approach to the
Individual oral
Students write the response to questions
( communicative objectives of the unit) on
a worksheet
.They have to re-use the grammar structures and new vocabulary when writing their response
I’m correcting their response
while in class
Individual oralUnit test
Test divided in three parts:- Reading- Writing - Speaking
An individual oral ( 2 max. 3 students) while other
students take the writing and reading parts of the
test
Discussion about the questions studied. Expand
Mark students on the spot.
Audio-visual worksheets -Mac program Pages-
A variation from the traditional worksheet
Same principle but with an audio-visual element
Help for practicing pronunciation.
Or students can just record themselves by using Garageband or
Quick Time Player
Individual oral at the IB
levelSame principle: a
conversation on a topic.
Difference: an unknown photograph
Technique studied in class. Practice in class
An excellent prompt for class conversations
Are traditions threatened to disappear ?
A new type of celebration ?Football supporters in Marseilles
Are children threatened by advertising ?
Are we addicted to medias ?
Les Choristes
Describe the main character
Describe the characters and the
scene
Interactive oral
activitiesAgain based on the IB
exam
Three main types:- role-play- debates
- oral presentations
A gradual approach
Role-playGive out the main idea
Exaggeration. Funny.
Give out some vocabulary ( good to learn idioms)
Let students prepare 3 or 4 stages in the scenario
They can’t write the script.
Time their performance: www.online-
stopwatch.com
Role-play
Perform in class ( 2 or 3 max.)
Grade immediately
DebateFor all levels ( as early as
level 2)
A controversial topic.
Start from a text
Divide the class in two groups
Let them brainstorm their ideas
Drag picture to placeholder or click icon to add
DebateTwo groups
Mark 4 students max.
Other students give support.
Grade them immediately
Keep the rubrics simple
Oral presentation
sA topic that will generate
interest
Based on personal experience
Make sure the class ask questions by organizing a
game.
Oral presentation
sGrade:
- The visual- The ability to generate
interest
Grade the presentation on the spot
Informal presentations: let the students take
ownership of the course..
Drag picture to placeholder or click icon to add
“ Lighter”oral activities:
games
The principle of competition
Ex. The game of the Champion
( vocabulary)
Ex: the brainstorm game
“Lighter” oral
activities: songs
Songs perfect to start or finish a class
www.youtube.com
Lyrics online
Karaoké
Language Clubs
Merci !Mr. Stéphane [email protected]
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