Welcome Judges

Using Creativity to Enhance Learning

Nomination Description

 

Using Creativity to Enhance Learning

 

Creativity in language teaching refers to the innovative and engaging methods that educators employ to make language learning more dynamic, interactive, and pleasant. It entails thinking outside the box, experimenting with unique teaching approaches, and encouraging students to discover and express themselves in the target language in novel ways. Here are a few ways in which we have integrated creativity into our classrooms:

• Role playing: We consistently utilize role playing in our teaching through fun and engaging scenarios. Specifically, the airport was an effective way of teaching real life dialogues where the students had the chance to pretend being pilots, flight attendants, security officers or even passengers and practice conversational skills while being creative. In order to make the role play more realistic we even incorporated costumes and airport themed props such as the plane, the counter and the baggage handling system.

Masterchefs was another example of role playing where the students were taught food vocabulary in a completely interactive way. The students were really immersed in the world of cooking by following the teacher’s instructions and wearing aprons and chefs’ hats.

The Christmas Bakery also allowed us to experiment with a hands-on approach to learning, as students were able to collaborate and manage tasks such as setting up the bakery, deciding who will play each role (e.g. bakers, customers), and communicating effectively with each other. This fostered teamwork and helped them develop social skills such as cooperation, negotiation, and problem-solving whilst boosting their confidence, practicing public speaking and taking on leadership roles.

• Games and gamification: Adding the element of gamification to our teaching has enabled us to enhance students’ engagement levels and significantly increase their motivation and willingness to participate in classroom activities. These activities establish a low-pressure environment in which mistakes are acceptable, allowing students to experiment with the language in a playful manner. Especially with regard to our younger learners, we have discovered that games can ease the burden of learning and make progress more accessible. Additionally, the various team-based activities promote teamwork and communication among students, enhancing their social interaction skills in the target language.
• Multimedia & technology: Given that one of our main priorities is to maintain a novel approach to teaching, we have also incorporated technology and digital tools into our classrooms. First of all, we have added Express Publishing’s latest innovation: DigiPlus, which is an adaptive learning tool powered by AI. This tool offers a highly personalized learning experience, as it encourages autonomous learning through an adaptive learning system that detects learners’ strengths and areas to be improved. What is more, through the use of tablets, interactive whiteboards, digital apps and online educational materials, students are able to develop problem solving skills, think and work critically as well as achieve digital literacy.
• Cultural exploration: Language learning is inextricably linked to culture, and therefore exploring this connection makes learning more meaningful and compelling. For this reason, we make sure to regularly deal with projects related to British customs, as well as explore various significant cultural moments from all over the world. For instance, one of our most successful projects was Frida Kahlo Day, during which students were able to learn about Frida Kahlo’s fascinating life and legacy through worksheets and educational videos. They were even encouraged to explore their own artistic tendencies by creating a colorful portrait of the famous artist.