DIRECTIONS & DRIVING. Classroom Activities to Reinvigorate Senior High School Language Learning
DIRECTIONS & DRIVING
Classroom Activities to Reinvigorate Senior High School Language Learning
In the dynamic world of senior high school language teaching, keeping students engaged and motivated is often a thrilling challenge. As educators, we understand that the key to successful learning lies in creating an atmosphere where students are not just participants but active enthusiasts. Here are some classroom activities designed to ignite the language classroom, bringing energy, excitement, and enthusiasm to senior high school students. From interactive games to creative exercises, we’ll delve into ways to make language learning an enjoyable and enriching experience.
DIRECTIONS & DRIVING
Target Group: 2-3rd year
Difficulty Level: Conversational
Activity Objective: To practice giving directions, and advising about road and traffic conditions
DIRECTIONS & DRIVING – Procedure
This lesson is designed for a 50 minute class. Students will review pronounciation of key words from a sample dialogue, and the teacher will model the dialogue for pronounciation practice.
Students practice giving directions in pairs before playing the “ALT Car” Game. During the game, students will remotely control the ALT as a “car” driving through the “town” (classroom) by using directions to get the ALT to a destination. The classroom can be set up to suit a variety of directional phrases and examples.
Materials and Preparation
Handouts: The handouts will include all key phrases and words presented during the lesson, as well as a sample dialogue for the students to follow. Handouts include additional practice exercises that students can do in pairs after they review the key phrases.
Location cards: These can simply be a 3×5 index cards with the name of the destination written on it (e.g. “library”) or they can have a picture instead. These will be used to create a “town” inside the classroom. The location cards can also include things like “traffic light” or “stop sign”.
Suggestions and Advice
This lesson can be one of the most enjoyable for the students, and your goal is to always reduce Teacher’s Talk Time (TTT) and increase Student Talk Time (STT). So allow students to create the town entirely from scratch at first, so that the lesson could build on the concepts of Directions and Driving, and include culturally relevant material such as a specific chain of restaurant, or department store, or a religious site such as the city temple or shrine, etc. The “traffic conditions” could also include events such as accidents, a parade, festival, or other obstruction that would encourage students to problem solve and think creatively in English. Otherwise, it is a highly versatile activity, and is flexible enough to expand on.
Classroom Activities to Reinvigorate Senior High School Language Learning
As we conclude this exploration of classroom activities to energize the language class for senior high school, we’ve witnessed how a well-crafted lesson plan can transform a mundane classroom into a vibrant hub of learning and creativity. These activities not only boost language skills but also foster a sense of teamwork, critical thinking, and cultural appreciation. By implementing these engaging methods, educators can ensure that their senior high school students are not just fluent in the language, but also passionately engaged in the journey of language acquisition.
So, let’s continue to infuse our classrooms with energy, enthusiasm, and a love for language, empowering our students for a brighter future.
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