How to get students to speak more?How to get students to speak more?

What activities can What activities can you do beyond the you do beyond the

coursebook? coursebook?

The Skype project

Cultura Inglesa Recife

• 9 students• 3 boys / 6 girls• Upper

Intermediate

Cultura Inglesa Rio

• 15 students• 12 girls / 3 boys• Upper

Intermediate

POINT TO CONSIDERPOINT TO CONSIDERAllow your students to choose whatAllow your students to choose what

they want to work with!they want to work with!

POINT TO CONSIDERPOINT TO CONSIDERSubstitute long- and mid-term Substitute long- and mid-term

motivation by creating in SS the motivation by creating in SS the immediate desire to do an activity.immediate desire to do an activity.

Pre-session 1 activity

• Get-to-know activityGet-to-know activity• Students post on the Facebook Students post on the Facebook

group their Top 5 bands/singersgroup their Top 5 bands/singers• Students comment on other Students comment on other

students listsstudents lists

POINT TO CONSIDERPOINT TO CONSIDERTeenagers are all about “ME”.Teenagers are all about “ME”.

Session 1Session 1

Discuss other students’ answersDiscuss other students’ answers

- Trivial questions about Rio and - Trivial questions about Rio and Recife.Recife.

POINT TO CONSIDER:POINT TO CONSIDER:• Take advantage of teachable Take advantage of teachable moments.moments.

Session 2Session 2

- Use general questions created by the teachers as input- Talk using ready-made questions and their own questions

POINT TO CONSIDERPOINT TO CONSIDERAlways assign something for your Always assign something for your

students to do!students to do!

Session 3Session 3

What is true friendship?What is true friendship?

- Watch video ‘Watch video ‘What is true love?’ -Post on the Facebook groupPost on the Facebook group- Use answers as input for Use answers as input for discussiondiscussion

ResultsResults

- Motivation- Confidence- Integration- Collaboration- Assessment Tool- Learning beyond the classroom

Possible problems:Possible problems:

- Internet connection- Mic & cam- SS talking during the Skype meeting- Allow extra time

Some ideas:

- ePals.com- Twitter- Talk to an expert via Skype- Cultura in Brazil- Same city, different branch

One last thought:One last thought:

““The greatest mistake (if oral The greatest mistake (if oral ability is the aim) is for the ability is the aim) is for the learner not to speak at all.”learner not to speak at all.”

Betteridge Wright and Buckby CUPBetteridge Wright and Buckby CUP

@brunoELT @brunoELT @ELTbakery@ELTbakery

www.eltbakery.com

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