How to improve speaking skills when learning a language?
I found this inspiring video on strategies on how to encourage students to speak in a foreign language on teachers.tv.
The teachers at Wildern school put in place "Group Talk": students are in groups of 4 and discuss different topics. They have cue cards and a list of key words and expressions to help them talk. When watching the video, I really liked the approach and the fact that students were engaged in their discussions although it was in another language. When I teach, I do find it hard at times to make my students talk. They will talk in English ;) but they find it hard to have a sustained conversation in another language. I also liked the fact that the students build up their conversations following gradual steps. For example, first they will have to say if yes or no they like sports, then they'll have to give a reason why, then comment on future plans...You can see an example of a "Group Talk" progression chart on http://www.teachers.tv/video/32765 at the bottom of the page, in the section "support materials".
In the video, they are also great ideas to engage boys with active learning like cycling around to get the tenses or the ballet dance to learn the time.
These are all ideas I am ready to try out next year and I find this very exciting indeed!
What about you? What new strategies are you considering using next year?
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