All good teachers strive to make learning meaningful for their students. The challenge can be greater in the context of LOTE (Languages others than English) in the Primary school where you may have as little as a 30-minute weekly allocation. Add to this an ‘opt in’ policy as a subject (in NSW) and with it no guarantee of continuity in subsequent years. As a result, despite our best efforts, language learning can become piecemeal, devoid of lasting significance or meaning for our students. Colours of fish and fruit, hair and eyes. So what? Can we paint a bigger picture for the purpose of language learning? One that encourages our students to reflect on moral and spiritual dimensions? That expands their understanding of how they can show love to their neighbour? In the light of recent terrorist events and the resultant fear and desire for retaliation these can produce, God’s call for us to be peacemakers is ever more relevant. A French teaching resource L’art de vivre, developed by the Charis Project, is an example of how the design of a language unit can connect students with deeper thinking. Colours, classroom objects and verb basics: yes, all dutifully present. However, the context of the vocabulary and grammar provides students with the opportunity to consider:
But before you do, consider this: is it just a matter of introducing the ‘right’ topics? How will we frame our pedagogy for learning to be significant and meaningful? What may need to change in our approach? For further exploration, some background to the Charis project and the subsequent thinking that developed from it are linked here. The challenges of the status quo for LOTE in Primary can be discouraging. But let’s not settle for piecemeal. Rather, let’s look to a higher vision and purpose and seek to make a meaningful difference. Libby Colla References: Romans 12:18; Hebrews 12:14 http://www.whatiflearning.co.uk/big-picture/charis http://johnshortt.org/charis-project-downloads/ http://www.forthosewhoteach.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/fre-unitA1.pdf Image credit: http://ibalkan.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/MASL%C4%B0NA-4.png
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