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PROJECT
OVERVIEW
Purpose
| Students | Overall
value | Tips | ICT
Purpose
The aim of the project is to establish a primary link between two
classes in schools where a common foreign language is taught (French
in this instance). Rather than starting the exchange between pupils
via the use of e-mail for personal presentations, it will initially
involve finding information about some of the other class’s
cultural habits.
In this instance the theme of “Food” has been chosen,
as it suits both classes’ curriculum demands.
At the end of the project pupils will have established a rapport
with their foreign friends and will choose a partner to begin their
own personal correspondence in the shared foreign language.
Pupils will self assess their work throughout the project, according
to the National Curriculum criteria.
Pupils are working through the four attainment targets (listening,
speaking, reading and writing):
- 1st stage: pupils fill in a survey of their food habits for
the 3 meals of the day, plus an afternoon snack. This addresses
Target 3: reading comprehension.
- 2nd stage: once the survey is finished, pupils enter their
data in an Access data capture form, prepared by their teacher
and shared by the two schools, on line (on the school system)
or on the teacher’s laptop / class computer during a lesson.
The results are shared by the schools and conclusions are drawn
to establish comparisons between the two cultures.
- 3rd stage: pupils prepare posters (using Word or Publisher)
presenting their favourite foods and drinks for each meal. This
addresses Target 4: writing.
These posters are e-mailed or posted, so each school can present
an exhibition of both cultures.
- 4th stage: pupils prepare an oral presentation of their favourite
foods & drinks. They are filmed, using either a digital or
a video camera.
The film is sent to the partner school with a listening grid attached,
for an aural exercise. This addresses both Targets 1 and 2: speaking
and listening.
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Students
The project is designed for Key stage 3 pupils in year 8 or 9.
The unit covers a substantial amount of vocabulary and grammar that
pupils have previously been introduced to. Differentiated material
is available so pupils of all abilities are able to work to their
full potential in a non threatening environment.
Pupils are working individually at the start of the project and
can be paired, or work in small groups for the filming of the oral
presentation.
The emphasis is on “personal talent”, to allow individuals
to express themselves in the manner they feel the most comfortable
with. During this final phase of the project both schools worked
in completely different ways. One school presented their work as
sketches, where pupils assumed relevant personalities; shopkeepers,
waiters, customers…
In the other school, pupils chose to present their work as a survey
and interviewed their friends, with some choosing to be interviewed
by their teacher, as they found this less intimidating.
Overall
The initial aim of the project was to introduce children to another
culture where French is taught as a foreign language and has to
be used to communicate.
It was thought that because the ability levels and the knowledge
of the language were similar in both schools, pupils would feel
less intimidated than if they were to correspond with native speakers
and above all, not tempted to revert to the use of their own language.
My class’s initial enthusiasm was moderate but as soon as
pupils received the food survey results they were quite excited
to find similarities and/or differences between the two countries.
Later on they greatly enjoyed the exercise involving the partner
school’s film. They have since worked on a different project
with the same class and are very keen to continue the link through
personal correspondence.
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Tips
Pupils will need basic computer skills.
Installing the questionnaire/database on the computer school system
saves considerable lesson time.
Uses of ICT
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