LANGUAGE A

CROSS THE

CURRICULU

M (LAC)

APPROACH

C O N D A D O M A RT Í N , L A U R A

G A RC Í A C O RT E L L E S , M A R Í A

G U T I É R R E Z L Ó P E Z , M A RTA

A I C L E - G 1 4 6 9 I S A D O RA N O R M A N

INTRODUCTION An LAC approach is one that integrates language learning and

content learning.

"Languages Across the Curriculum" is a term for school and college courses that allow students to study a foreign language or apply pre-existing knowledge of a foreign language outside of traditional language-learning classrooms. (http://lac.theholls.info/).

LAC is a compendium of resources and information for teachers interested in expanding their use of foreign languages beyond the traditional foreign language curriculum. (http://lac.theholls.info/)

WHY IS THERE A NEED FOR SUCH AN APPROACH?

Language cannot be effectively learnt without a context.

Language and content are closely interrelated.

It is therefore necessary to integrate language and content.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AN LAC APPROACH?

For the school:

- To ensure that there is an organizational structure in the school

- Work for a common target.

For the teacher:

- To use the language to teach more effectively and help.

- students learn more effectively

For the students:

- To minimise the problems

- To learn the subject content better.

- To help to improve.

DIFFICULTIES OF LAC

These have to do with the attitudes of the teachers, the objection or even resistance of many subject teachers to become “language teachers” on top.

There might not have been a clear or precise conceptualization as yet of what it means to do language education across the curriculum.

No one centrally responsible in the school for such a cross-curricular approach.

This is a structural weakness.

Another problem, introducing LAC requires a radical change in the attitudes and mentaly of the teachers involved.

Unfortunately, all of the difficulties mentioned are still valid.

http://www.universitas.com.pl/media/File/Fragmenty/TOWARDS/mart_2-3.pdf

WHAT ARE THE RESPECTIVE ROLES OF CONTENT SUBJECT TEACHERS AND

ENGLISH TEACHERS IN AN LAC APPROACH?

ENGLISH TEACHERS SUBJECTS TEACHERS

Introduce and teach the skills, reinforcing them from time to time in English lessons.

Re-teach those skills or introduce related skills/concepts in their lesson, integrating language and content. To sum up….

It is important for English teachers and content subject teachers to each know what the other is doing

ACTIVITY 1Activity legnht: 15 minutes.

Activity format: whole group, partners, small groups or independent. BICS ACTIVITY

Teachers prepare some papers with numbers or problems and explain with THE HAND how resolve them.

After, the pupils have to use THE HAND and work out.

The teacher puts on the student the crown on and this student have to find his common problem or number or solution with another student.

ACTIVITY 2

Activity legnht: 15 minutes.

Activity format: Partners. BICS ACTIVITY

We show the students the maze and the dangerous objects and animals.

The students have to move their fingers through the maze and make it safely.

The students have the eyes closed and the parteners give directions.