Announcement

You’ve all heard of National Geographic – the magazine, the channel, the explorers. Perhaps you’ve also heard that your colleagues are teaching English with materials from National Geographic.

In the first post of this series, introducing the concept of global competence, we established the central ideas behind it and why these are important when designing tasks with a cultural component. This post looks at a practical activity which embraces global competence and can be easily incorporated into your classroom practice.

Practical ideas for teaching levels B1-C1

During lockdown, learners have had to be more self-sufficient, take responsibility for their learning, and manage their own time. They have had no choice but to work out problems on their own with no classmate and no teacher nearby to ask.

Answer: This is something we are asked quite often. Many colleagues would like to celebrate Christmas with their young learners, but they would like to do more than just teach them a carol or two. The activity we describe below can be used with learners from Junior A - C, and, if the main theme is changed, with higher level learners (B1+). 

"Decorating Our Christmas Tree"

Materials:

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Certainly, your relationship with your learners is crucial for the smooth functioning of the language learning experience.  Part of this relationship requires a good balance between familiarity and formality. 

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ANSWER: We would suggest then an activity which deals with the themes of kindness or friendship  Either theme will help our learners think about themselves and their commitment to the people around them. Also, either would be appropriate as a Valentine’s Day activity.

TITLE: “What is Kindness?"

LEVEL:  Early Adolescents+

ANSWER: A flexible, integrated skills activity, “Let’s exchange stories”, in which groups of language learners build a story inspired by visuals, creates an opportunity for groups of learners to relate stories to each other providing them with plenty of practice in observing, notetaking, listening, speaking and cooperation.