The Language Assistant: an aid toThe Language Assistant: an aid tochildren’s communicative competencechildren’s communicative competence

One-way communicationInput

Presenting vocabularyPresenting information (personal, cultural,

CLIL, etc.)E.g.:

children listen to complete a task or game Children listen and follow the written word

Reading a storyPresenting a song, chant or rhyme

Listen! This is blue.

Two-way communicationInteraction

Presenting vocabulary interactivelyPresenting information interactively

E.g.: Children listen and ask questions What can you tell me about ...? Does anyone know ...?

Conversation practicePlaying gamesSongs and rhymes

Is it red or blue?

It’s blue

Three-way communication (1)Content

Doing a projectThe LA and his/her personal life

Personal details Family and friends Home (city/town, street and house) Education Hobbies, likes and dislikes

The LA’s country of origin Geography (continent, main cities, mountains, rivers, animals, etc.) Political aspects (flag, political leader, religions, etc.) Culture (languages, timetables, festivals, food, currency, etc.) Places of interest (museums, theme parks, houses, natural parks, etc.) Education (schools, timetables, subjects, homework, etc.) Famous people (political, historical, science, arts, musicians, women, etc.) Free time (typical activities and hobbies, etc.)

Three-way communication (2)Content

Working with small groups:

to solve problemsto do experiments write up reportsto explain and carry out tasksto produce projects, presentations, maps, reports, art

and craft work, video clips, etc.to explore and describe differencesto prepare quizzes and tasks for other groupsto make a Portfolio

Getting started

Remember! You have a lot to offer.You can:

offer ideas and knowledgeoffer language help (vocabulary, pronunciation, etc.)find or create resourceshelp to prepare activitiesact as authentic input lead group workbe enthusiastic!

games songs

I’ve got an idea! Let’s

…

You need to practise :how to speak slowly and

clearlyhow to use gesture,

expression and intonationhow to adapt language to

levelhow to model and elaboratehow to scaffoldhow to give instructions how to ask questionshow to negotiate meaninghow to tell a story

Presentation techniquesYou need to learn to:

1. Speak in English2. Speak slowly3. Repeat, repeat and

REPEAT4. Say it in different ways5. Use stressing and

intonation6. Use body language,

gestures and facial expression

7. Model what you want to do

8. Use pictures and realia9. Give visual and verbal

feedback - PRAISE10. BE HAPPY!!

Grouping techniques You need to practise:

Whole class led by teacherWhole class led by

supervised assistantHalf class, same activityHalf class, different

activitiesHalf class, different

activities, different areaSmall groups, same area,

same activitySmall groups, same area,

different activitiesSmall group, interchanging

during lesson

Pairs2 pair-group

Groups of 3

Groups of 5

Pyramid = 1st in pairs Then pairs join in 4s Then in 8s

All Change = Group of 4 work together 3 members then report to another

group

1 243

21

321

3 4

54321

31 2

Preparing an activity

Decide with your tutor:

which activities you will do, s/he will do, you will both do

groupingwho will prepare which resourceshow long the activity will takewhat help you need

What resourcesshould you prepare?

prepare resources which will allow children to: talk in the foreign language activate previous knowledge predict experiment consolidate reflect on new knowledge (content and

language) self and peer assess make up a portfolio

Some useful materialsfor the general English class

pictures of family and friends, home, home town, country, etc.map of country and street plans of home town tourist brochures and postcards of your home town local newspapers, comics and kids’ magazines, TV and cinema

guidesadvertisements and weather forecasts board games, CDs, cassettes, story booksbus and railway timetables and school timetablesvideo clips with TV ads, quiz programmes, etc.cartoons or children's stories invitations, menus and recipesposters, stickers, badgesbirthday cards, christmas cards and horoscopesshopping catalogues and money

Include activities of:structured oral practicesemi-structured oral

practicefree oral practicefinding informationexchanging informationsongs and rhymes

(important for intonation, block language and motivation)

sport and dancing

festivalsexperimentscooking and eatingICTgames and puzzlesTPR and hands-onart and craftcooking and eatingproject work and CLILeducational visits

Ideas for information games

QuizWho wants to be a millionaire Treasure hunt with cluesComplete-the-Card RaceCall my BluffLabel-the-Picture RaceHot PotatoCrossword

Ideas for information activitiesUse information to:

label a picturedo/make an odd-one-outdo/make a crossworddo/make a true or falsecomplete a gapped textfind the right pictureput in the right ordercook from a recipemake somethingdraw a picturedo/make a jigsaw

You need to provide:Simple language which will help children to interact

For example: What is --- in English? How do you spell ...? Please, --- What next? Who? Why? Because ... What do we do with ...? Where do I put ...? Can I... ? Can you help me? I don’t understand. I don’t know the main language necessary for the activities

What’s this in English?

Songs and rhymes

They should be:easy to understandeasy to learnrepetitivecatchylinked to agelinked to a themelinked to activity (e.g. TPR, cooking, art or

craft work)used more than once

Small group use of songs/rhymes Listen to a song and work in pairs

and then groups to Complete the gapped lyrics Complete a Song Evaluation Answer questions about the song Make a theme-related PWP to accompany

the song Give each group a verse to build up the

song Sing the song

Prepare different songs with each group.

Then:1. Have a class show2. Try peer teaching3. Try a song dictation (gapped lyrics

that one group completes while listening to the other group)

Song Evaluation The title of the song is It was written in ___(year)___by

_____(writer)______. It has been sung by various artistes, including

__________. This version is sung by _________________________. S/he is a/an – they are __(nationality)______

singer(s). It is a __________(kind of music)_____________

song. The theme of the song is _______________________. I like/don’t like it because

it is/isn’t interesting the music is

beautiful/catchy/rhythmic/exciting/great …

repetitive/boring/too quiet/too loud/awful …

I’m not very keen on the lyrics/music the lyrics are

good/clever/fantastic … boring/repetitive/awful …

My verdict is ___ out of ten.

Integrated song activity – Connie Talbot (BGT)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkcE6Vy-e6c

Listen and watch Connie Talbot in Britain’s Got Talent

Complete the song

Over The Rainbow (Arlen-Harburg) Somewhere over the __________ way up ________

There's a _________ that I heard of once in a lullaby Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are

___________And the dreams that you dare to dreamReally do come _________

CHORUSSome day I'll wish upon a _________And wake up where the __________ are far behind meWhere troubles melt like lemondropsAway above the chimney topsThat's where you'll ___________ me

Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds _________Birds fly over the rainbowWhy then, oh why can't I?Somewhere over the rainbowRepeat

If ___________ ___________ bluebirds flyBeyond the rainbow, why, oh why can't I?

Work in pairs to answer the questions

1. How old is Connie Talbot?2. What does Connie do when she’s asleep?3. How does Connie feel about singing?4. How does she feel about the BGT competition?5. Why is this song Connie’s favourite?6. What does Connie want to say ?7. Why is Connie naughty?8. Why does Amanda cry?9. How does Connie sing according to the judge?10. Why is there silence when Connie sings?

Now turn to the pair behind and check your answers.

Complete the Song Evaluation for this song. In your group, decide on a mark to give

Connie. Say why.

Choose a song in English and prepare it in your group for the OSGT “OurSchool’s Got Talent” competition.

Remember! It’s important to work in English!!

An integrated song activityAkin Drum

ChorusThere is a man in the moon, in the moon, in the moonThere is a man in the moon and his name is Akin Drum

His head is made of bread, bread, breadHis head is made of bread and his name is Akin Drum

ChorusHis face is made of butter, butter, butter

His face is made of butter and his name is Akin DrumChorusHis eyes are made of olives, olives, olive

His eyes are made of olives and his name is Akin Drum

Continue with the rest of the face

For example:Nose = cheese Cheeks = hamMouth = red pepper Ears = sausageHair = lettuce

Then use the song for different activities1. TPR

2. Join the food to the correct part of the head W/S

3. Complete the recipe W/S

4. Singing recipe: verse by verse, children make an open-topped healthy sandwich to eat for their break-time snack.

5. Class poster and/or PWP with Akin Drum, foods, recipe and photos of sandwich-making and eating

Which food goes where?

My “Akin Drum” SandwichYou need:

A large slice of brown or white bread Some butter Some lettuce A piece of cheese A slice of ham A slice of sausage A slice of red pepper Two olives

Cut round the slice of bread to make the ___________ Spread on the butter to make the ___________ Put on some lettuce to make the ___________ Put on some cheese to make the ___________ Put on some sausage to make the ___________ Put on some ham to make the ___________ Put on some red pepper to make the ___________ Put on the olives to make the ___________ Eat and enjoy!!

Secondary school tipsYou can make PWPs or class displays about:

you and your countrycomparing Spain and your countryemblems of your country and Asturias festivals such as Peace Day, Book Day, Solstices, etc. issues, such as equality, diversity, environment, etc. topics, such as famous people, inventions, historical

moments, places of interest, local animals, etc. local museums relating to museums in your areaprojects relating to the curriculum (art, science, etc.)english topics, such as shopping, fashion, healthy food, etc.

Link these to puzzle WSs and quizzes (who wants to be a millionaire?)

Link these to interviews and educational visits in English

Active Project Work Issues

Save the forestsU.N.Plant a tree pledge

http://www.unep.org/billiontreecampaign/pledges

Geography and P.E.There are over 20 geocaching sites in Asturias.http://www.geocaching.com

Science and EcologyVisit the Aquarium

http://www.sealifeeurope.com/schools.phphttp://www.acuariodeponiente.es/aprendemas.html

Art and NatureVisit the Evaristo Valle museum and gardens. Birds and paintings.

http://www.evaristovalle.com/e-index.html

History Vikings in Asturias:

http://www.asturiasverde.com/vikingos.htm

Vikings in Britain:

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/vikingsax.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/vikings/index.shtml

Viking webquest

http://faculty.une.edu/cas/gchstman/students/webjohnston/websheet.htm

http://www.teachnet.ie/stpats/vikings_99758687/page%201.htm

Use videos and ICTShopping http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-1tfWzHgOAArt http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-draw-a-facePeace Day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0EKbOlGEZE&feature=relatedChristmas Use these websites to do web quests, quizzes, write a letter to Santa, write a card to friend, play online

games. Look at how to say Merry Christmas and how to sing Silent Night in different languages. See how the winter solstice, Christmas and the new year are celebrated in different parts of the world. http://www.allthingschristmas.com/music/lyrics.htmlPrimary Webquest and activities http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Xmas/activities/webquest.html http://www.northpole.com/Mailroom/mailform.html http://www.northpole.com/Clubhouse/Games/ http://www.northpole.com/Overview/Teacher.html http://www.santas.net/howmerrychristmasissaid.htm http://www.worldofchristmas.net/merry-christmas.html http://www.silentnight.web.za/Secondary Webquest http://www.religioustolerance.org/winter_solstice.htm http://www.fathertimes.net/traditions.htm http://www.mcsdk12.org/curr/Holidays/christmas.htm

Useful WebsitesLanguage assistant websites http://www.britishcouncil.org/languageassistant http://www.britishcouncil.org/flasonline http://www.primarylanguages.org.uk/ http://www.nacell.org.uk/bestpractice/teach.htmEsol websites http://www.english-4kids.com/ http://www.eslkidstuff.com/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ http://www.isabelperez.com/ http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.htmlTool websites http://www.pppst.com/ (powerpoint, clipart) http://hotpot.uvic.ca/index.htm (create games) http://teach.fcps.net/trt10/PowerPoint.htm (pwp, games,

millionaire template)