authentic english: learning and using english within and beyond the classroom

Authentic English: Learning and Using English

Within andBeyond the Classroom

BY: A M Y E . L I N G E N F E LT E RE N G L I S H L A N G UA G E F E L LO W 2 0 1 3 - 1 4

Ideas for Authentic English:• Museum outings with tours in English

1)Consider who offers tours in English (e.g. Water museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, Guayasamin Museum, Mitad del Mundo, etc.)

2)Students write about:a) Their favorite exhibitb) 1 or more things they were surprised aboutc) Things they liked and dislikedd) Questions they have to ask the tour guide or

native English speaker in English, then they record the answers they

hear on a worksheet

Ideas for Authentic English:• Museum outings with tours in English

1)Students can bring the brochure or take a photo of the exhibit description and find unknown vocabulary words in the texta) If they are only available in Spanish, student

can translate it and/or write about its meaning in English

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• Do other tours of the city led by English-speaking tour guides and tourists1)Double decker bus tour, Old Town walking tour,

Botanical Gardens tour, Centro Historico, etc.2)Students write about:

a) Their favorite tour/aspect of the tourb) 1 thing they were surprised aboutc) Things they liked or dislikedd) Questions they have to ask the tour guide or

native English speaker in English and record the answers

3)Talk to a native English speaker about what they are doing in Ecuador and record the questions and answers to the conversation

Ideas for Authentic English:

• Watch movies in English without relying on Spanish subtitles (use English subtitles).

• Organize an English “movie night”1)Write a movie review2)Write and produce/film a “movie trailer”3)Write an alternative ending or a sequel to movie4)Create alternative dialogue scenes in the movie

• Go to a restaurant with an English menu1) Write a review of the restaurant in English using

new words learned from the menu2)Create/write an alternative or improved menu for

that restaurant in English


T.G.I. Fridays Menu:

How to Write a Review (Movie, Book, Restaurant, etc.)

No matter what kind of review you write, it's important to develop a clear thesis and evidence to support your opinions.

You have no doubt read reviews of the latest blockbuster movie, bestselling novel, or hot CD and said to yourself , “What an easy job. I could do that!” The fact is a review can be one of the most diffi cult forms of writing. I t may seem simple at fi rst – we all have strong opinions, and a review is simply our opinion about a product or service, right? I n reality, a review should be more than just a rant about how good or bad something is. Like any argument, a review needs a clear thesis and evidence to support your opinions.

Start With a Category

Whether you are writing a review on a book, movie, restaurant or cell phone, you need to start by putting your subject in a category. This will narrow your focus and allow to you create a more eff ective argument. I f you are reviewing a book, what kind of book is it? A romance novel? A How-To book? Historical Fiction? Biography?

I f you are writing a restaurant review, is it a Mexican restaurant? Chinese? A pizza place? A sandwich shop?

I f you are reviewing the latest cell phone, decide what category of phone you want to put it in. Flip phone? Camera phone? Music phone?

Develop Clear Criteria

Once you have put your subject into a category, you need to develop a clear list of criteria on which you will base your judgment. What makes a good (fi ll in the blank with your category)? This list does not have to be explicitly stated in your review, but it should be clearly implied in your writing.

A list of criteria is important because it f orces the writer to go beyond blanket summaries of the subject and vague opinions. Criteria give the writer something to sink his teeth into. Do not skip this step.

Make a J udgment

Once you have outlined what criteria you are using you can make a clear and reasoned judgment. Decide what you want to say about the subject overall. Avoid generalities such as “best” or “worst.” Your readers won’t believe you if you appear too passionately positive or negative. Rather, make a reasoned judgment and develop it into a working thesis statement.

Gather Evidence

Like any good argument, you need to back up your claims with evidence. The good news is that your evidence will come directly f rom the subject itself in the form of examples. I f you are reviewing a book, give examples f rom the text to support your position. I f you say the characters in the book are not believable, provide an example f rom the book that illustrates this point.

Sum I t All Up

Be sure to sum up your conclusions at the end of your review. This will bring closure to the piece and reiterate your ideas. The biggest mistake review writers make is giving too much summary and not enough clear criteria. Keep this in mind as you put on your critic’s hat and write your fi rst review.

• Start a drama, improvisation, role-playing, and/or comedy club in English 1)Write the script in English and later film it2)Great for practicing idioms, slang, and informal

language• Join InterNations/Couch Surfing to meet

native English speakers1)Use this to join “socializing clubs” like art, knitting,

photography, cooking, hiking, dancing, or any other kind of clubs in English with native speakers

2)Students do a presentation on their experience with this club, and/or “teach” classmates what they learned in English using process “how to” language


• Join InterNations/Couch Surfing to meet native English speakers1)www.internations.org2)www.couchsurfing.org


http://www.internations.org/activity-group/5162/activity/56817?utm_medium=email&utm_source=activitygroup_mails&utm_campaign=activitygroup_invitation&utm_content=101_5162



• Start a book or magazine (reading) discus-sion club in English1)Create a list of suggested high-interest books or

magazines appropriate for level, age, and cognitive difficulty (e.g. literal vs. full of metaphors)

2)Could be an independent reading assignment or guided reading using the same book

3)Various reading worksheets/activities (especially relating to vocabulary) could be used in the classroom

4)Short stories are ideal (e.g. one story per week)


Ideas for Authentic English: Part/s of Speech Synonym Antonym

Definition/s: (Include part of speech and two complete definitions from the dictionary) 1)

2)

Use the word in 2 sentences:

1) 2)

Draw a Picture:

Word

Write the word seven times: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7)

Ideas for Authentic English:VOCABULARY WORKSHEET

Vocabulary Word / Phrase

Word Type / Image

Definition / Meaning / Synonym

1. The sentence from the text goes here

2. Your own sentence goes here

1.

2.

1.

2.

1.

2.

1.

2.

1.

2.

1.

2.

• Establish penpals (email pals) with a native speaker in English

• Set up an "intercambio" with a native speaker either in person or via Skype/another webinar software1)Connect with people with similar interests/ages2)www.livemocha.com3)www.skype.com

• Start a blog, trade magazine, newspaper, or other kind of "media" in English relating to student’s profession or personal interests1)www.tumblr.com2)www.blogger.com


• Start a speaking club related to student's profession or interests that is conducted all in English (which preferably includes at least one native speaker)1)Politics/Debate2)Cultural issues3)Women’s club4)Art5)Knitting6)Cooking7)Hiking8)Fashion9)The list is endless!


• For cooking enthusiasts, read and follow recipes in English, particularly “American” recipes1)Could be part of English “cooking” club2)Have a potluck class dinner using meals cooked

following English recipes and share/present recipes at the meal table

3)Design a restaurant with a book of the menu and several recipes in English

4)Translate their favorite recipes of their native country recipes into English


• MUSIC: Focus on music with English lyrics that students like most, and/or organize a song/karaoke club in English1)Students can read and/or sing lyrics as they listen

(along with the video if one exists) 2)Cloze/fill-in-the-blanks activities3)Analyzing lyrics4)Written response to lyrics5)Using lyrics to teach grammar points or vocabulary6)Translate your favorite Spanish song into English

(and sing it)7)Have a song day with real instruments and

students can perform


02 Unwritten.m4p

“Unwritten” By Natasha Bedingfield

I am unwritten, can't____________________ , I 'm undefined

I 'm just ______________ , the pen's in my __________, ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you Open up the dirty __________________

Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find Reaching for something in the distance

So close you can almost ___________ it Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your _______________ No one else can feel it ______________

_________________ can let it in No one else, _______________

Can ____________ the words on your lips Drench yourself in words unspoken

Live your life with arms wide ___________ Today is where your ___________ begins

The rest is still unwritten, oh, oh

I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines We've been conditioned to not make _____________ ,

but I can't live that way, oh

Staring at the blank page before you

Open up the dirty __________________ Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance So close you can almost ___________ it

Release your inhibitions





The rest is still unwritten Oh, oh, oh, yeah…

Staring at the blank page before you

Open up the dirty __________________ Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance So close you can almost ___________ it

Release your inhibitions









The rest is still unwritten The rest is still unwritten The rest is still unwritten

VOCABULARY WORDS: “UNWRI TTEN”

1. Unwritten (adj.)- Not written 2. Undefined (adj.)- Not defined, not sure, not exact 3. Unplanned (adj.)- Not planned 4. I lluminate (verb)- To give light to, to shine onto something 5. Release (verb)- to let go of, to drop, to decrease 6. I nhibition (noun)- Something you are afraid to do, something you are

cautious about 7. Drench (verb)- to make very wet, to soak, to pour water onto

something 8. Tradition (noun)- a custom that has been done for many years in a

particular group of people 9. To be conditioned (verb)- to be raised in a certain way, to be

trained, to be taught, to get used to

Name: ___________________________________

Natasha Bedingfield “Unwritten”

Comprehension Questions

1. What is the word “book” a metaphor for in the song? 2. What do you think Natasha means by “Staring at the blank page before you?” 3. What do you think “the dirty window” represents? 4. What do you think she means by “Feel the rain on your skin; no one else can f eel

it f or you?” 5. What does she mean by “Live your lif e with arms wide open?”

• Pay attention to all English that is available. If information is only available in English, take advantage of that as a learning opportunity! 1)Tags on clothing, packaging of products, product

descriptions, signs, popular slogans, etc.2) Information on internet only available in English3)Bring in a “show and tell” of items with English and

give presentation using new words learned4)Use to learn and complete vocabulary exercises5)Read and use “How to” manuals in English6) When assembling or fixing something, read the

instructions in English that are available instead7)Give a class demonstration in English of “how to” do

something providing instructions to all students


• Play or create a sports team/league with native speakers or one in which only English is used to conduct game activities1)Write a “mock” newspaper article about the results

of the game2)Present a “how to” play the game or do a specific

athletic move for the class• Make own Facebook or Twitter account in English

1) Invite only English-speaking friends• Play “Trace Effects” video game:

http://www.americanenglish.state.gov/trace-effects




• If possible, look for jobs in tourism working with native English speaking tourists

• Keep a list of all the English words and phrases that students read/hear in a portable notebook or electronic device1)Write definitions, translations, and example

sentences as seen in context2)Write a paragraph or story using some or all of

these words from the generated list3)Do aforementioned vocabulary activities/exercises

using these words4)Perform role-play or do “charades” of these words

for classmates


• Read and/or write a children's book or fable in English for oneself, children, nieces, nephews, etc. (Student or someone else can illustrate it).1)Provide graphics, drawings, photos to

contextualize meaning and reinforce learning and vocabulary

2)Simpler English will help adults as well as children3)Reading out loud always helps!


• Find a boyfriend or girlfriend who is a native speaker and doesn't speak your native language as well as you speak English!1)You will be forced to speak the language!


• ANY QUESTIONS?

• MY CONTACT INFO:• My Website: www.peopleleap.com

(go to “Resources > “Downloadable Documents, Learning Links, Reading Links, and Teacher Teacher Links!”)

• My email: [email protected]

THE END!THANK YOU!

http://www.peopleleap.com/

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authentic english: learning and using english within and beyond the classroom

Documents

authentic english

english menu

english subtitles

native english speakerswww

native english speakersuse

english movie nightwrite

english language classroom

museum outings