Welcome Judges

Fostering Language and Social Learning while practising Technology Skills.

Nomination Description

Fostering Language and Social Learning while practising Technology Skills.

 

My class is an intermediate one with students having a rather short attention span and getting easily bored , lacking motivation and enthusiasm. Although their language level is quite satisfactory, I felt they needed activities tailored to their needs and interests to unleash their imagination and engagement. This would allow them to get particularly interwined in a dynamic interplay , leading to the acquisition of language and creativity skills.

The lesson began with a text on ‘Living Smart’ from the students’ coursebook. After reading the text, I engaged them with a series of thought -provoking questions. These included whether they liked their current homes, what their dream homes would be like, and how they envisioned smart cities or homes that could improve people’s lives. The students were divided into groups or pairs to discuss and exchange ideas . This interactive brainstorming activity allowed them to practise both their language and communication skills (see video).Finally, I presented them with key words to further reinforce the concepts covered.

The lesson began by introducing the topic of smart cities. The students were shown a video on the subject , and the vocabulary was pre-taught to encourage  them to guess the meaning and make predictions about what they would see in the video. After watching the video, the students’ comprehension was tested through a discussion. They were then given a gap-filling activity to consolidate and memorise the key words they had learnt. While listening and speaking were practised, the lesson could have been more holistic , integrating skills like fostering social learning, independence, collaboration, and critical thinking related to the crucial topic of smart cities.

The lesson focused on the engaging topic of technology and smart cities. Students embarked on a project about ‘smart cities’ , where they were exposed to various technological apps and tools. Through this project, students practised both their linguistic and digital skills. They engaged in a range of vocabulary, writing, listening and speaking activities, thereby improving all four language skills. The students’ journey was captured across multiple stages , each designed to deepen their engagement with both language and technology. This holistic approach allowed them to develop a wide range of competencies, including independence, collaboration, and critical thinking.

The project employed a wide range of tools , including computers, artificial intelligence, and blended learning apps like Chat GPT,Quizlet,Twee, Coggle, Turboscribe,Kahoot, Vocaroo, Canva and Padlet to name a few. These were used to enhance both linguistic and digital skills. ( not possible all of them to be shown in the material provided here). The students designed, drew and displayed smart houses and cities creating a ”Gallery of Smart Cities” using Capcut and Minecraft. A detailed description of the tools and project stages can be found in the ‘Project Procedure’ document.

The project provided an interactive and enjoyable environment that empowered students to unleash their creativity , engagement , and technology skills.This holistic approach made the experience truly rewarding and inspiring for the students.