domenica 26 gennaio 2020

Creativity in the EFL classroom: a task-based activity

Hi everyone!

Another week has just gone by and here I am again to share a teaching activity I carried out with a group of my students with you.

I'd like to start this post with a quote by one of my favourite writers. 
www.google.com 

Creativity is one of the four 21st skills (along with critical thinking, collaboration, and communication) that students need to have in order to succeed. Moreover, according to Bloom's Taxonomy of Cognitive Development creativity is considered one of the higher-order thinking skills (HOTS). In particular it is defined as the ability to put parts together to create something new and unique by giving major emphasis on the formulation of new patterns or structures. (If you'd like to read more about Bloom's Taxonomy, I suggest that you visit this webpage).

Some time ago I read Creativity in the English language classroom edited by Alan Maley and Nik Peachey from the British Council series. You can find fantastic ideas here to use in your classrooms.
What I decided to do was to collect some of the definitions of 'creativity' which are true for me. I printed out a poster and put it on the wall of the room where I usually plan my lessons. I came up with the idea I'm sharing with you in the paragraph below while I was staring at it one day when my mind had gone blank. 

CREATIVE CAFES
Level: B1 - upwards
Time: 2 hours
Linguistic Skills: Speaking, Listening, Writing
Soft Skills: Creative thinking, Problem Solving


Warm-up activity
I showed my Ls this picture, I told them it was the sign of a shop and they brainstormed ideas about which type of business it could be and then I asked them, 'What is special about this cafe?'
www.google.com

In order to check their answers, Ls watched this video up to 00:35. Some of my Ls were really surprised about this business model and one of them even said that it was not worth it since anyone can eat everything up.

Listening activity - Running 'question' dictation
In order to improve my Ls' listening skills without making some of them stressed about it I decided to carry out a peer-learning activity. Instead of giving them the comprehension questions I wrote them on post-it notes and put them on the classroom walls. Ls were divided in groups of four, but only one member could stand up and read the questions on the walls (of course everyone had a go) and then report them to the other members of their groups.
Ls watched the video till the end twice and then answered the questions.

These are the questions they had to answer.

1) What's the English word for Ziferblat?
2) Is the owner disappointed about people eating a lot?
3) Why do customers enjoy going to this cafe?
4) What's the shortest time someone spent at Ziferblat?
5) What's the longest time someone spent at Ziferblat?
6) What's the feedback the owner gives about his own experience?

Creative activity
Ls had to create their own business idea about a special cafe.
What's the name of the place?
What's special about it?
What are special features about its interior design?
What's its sign like?

By working in groups, I had the opportunity to monitor them better. Lots of new language came up and everyone was engaged in the task.
Plus, what I loved about the classroom setting was that I could challenge them with possible problems they could have in their businesses and ask them to think about how they might solve them.
For example, one of the cafes, 'The Dice Cafe' gave the chance to their customers to pay half price for their coffees if they rolled a dice and got 6. I asked them, 'What if the customer were a gambler, s/he wanted to roll the dice again and an argument arouse?' They discussed about it and then decided to hire a bouncer.
Also, two groups chose the same name, 'Once upon a cafe', for their businesses. I asked them to explained their cafes to the other groups who had to decide which group was going to keep the name.

Here you are some creative cafes my Ls were working on.




When they finished, they presented their ideas to the class.






























Through a blinding voting operation :), they decided which idea we were going to upload in a crowdfunding website such as https://www.indiegogo.com.

That's all for now, folks!

22 commenti:

  1. Thanks for this nice lesson. Great idea!

    RispondiElimina
  2. Você sabia que pode sacar dinheiro de qualquer caixa eletrônico
    Recebi meu cartão multibanco programado e em branco para sacar no máximo 12.000 euros por dia por um período máximo de 90 dias. Estou muito feliz com isso porque recebi o meu na semana passada e usei para obter 74.000 euros. Alexander Castro está distribuindo o cartão apenas para ajudar os pobres e necessitados para fins de investimento. É uma boa coisa tirar dele. Basta enviar um email para ele: E-Mail: hacklords.investors@gmail.com
    https://wa.me/%2B17042750147
    atmservices44@yahoo.com

    RispondiElimina
  3. We are the best online assignment help services for college students in the UK.
    Visit: Essay Writer

    RispondiElimina
  4. I DON'T BUY BITCOIN, I EARN IT DAILY FROM MY INVESTMENTS WITH A RELIABLE PLATFORM.
    ✅ NO REGISTRATION FEE
    ✅ INSTANT WITHDRAWAL
    ✅ 5% TO 10% REFERRAL BONUS IF INTERESTED.
    I EARN MORE THAN $400 DAILY WITH THIS PLATFORM AND IT IS 100% SAFE AND GUARANTEED. TESTIFY THE RELIABILITY OF THE PLATFORM YOURSELF WHEN YOU SIGN UP AND EARN.
    CONTACT ME IF YOU WANT TO MAKE MONEY WITH BITCOIN VIA WHATSAPP +44 7451 272215 OR EMAIL; bitcoinzone.info@gmail.com AND I WILL SHARE THE WEBSITE WITH YOU TO
    START EARNING.

    RispondiElimina
  5. Avail the best dissertation writing service about Human Resource Management dissertation functions & topics with our expert writers.

    RispondiElimina
  6. Mr Pedro went above and beyond their requirements to assist me with my loan which I used to expand my pharmacy business,They were friendly, professional, and absolute gems to work with.I will recommend anyone looking for loan to contact. pedroloanss@gmail.com.WhatsApp ..+ 1-863-231-0632.

    RispondiElimina
  7. Nice blog!!
    Are you Looking for How to Sign Numbers, sign language numbers, sign language numbers 1-10, sign language words, sign language words for beginners visit here : #deafsign

    RispondiElimina
  8. I found so many exciting matters in this particular content, I would like to request please keep posting such informative content. Check out real credit card numbers to buy stuff

    RispondiElimina
  9. I provide work them in such a way that they have to concentrate on their self-study. While you are reading at Ireland University, you can take Assignment Help Ireland to maintain study confidence. Our writing support is available to you around the clock.

    RispondiElimina
  10. Opt for our Assignment help to finish your assignments and submit them within the deadline. No need to take the stress of insufficient knowledge and lack of skills when you have an online assignment writing expert for writing your assignment in Canada.

    RispondiElimina
  11. Great blog you posted! Actually I like your words that you choose in the blog. Like you I am also here to promote my online Assignment help website. We provide online assignment help for your homework. So guys if you think you need to help, then please contact our experts or if you have any suggestions for our websites then also we welcome you.
    Thank you!

    RispondiElimina
  12. Creativity is very crucial. I hope that your sessions might be helpful and students enjoyed them a lot. This is the best way to develop creative ability in students. Through these activities, students will learn many new concepts, their writing and creative abilities will be enhanced. Once or twice a week, these activities are essential for students.
    PhD Dissertation Writing Service UK

    RispondiElimina
  13. The fastest and safest ride to the airport in London.Clean and comfortable cars. Fully licensed taxi services. one of the most trusted taxi services in London. Meet & greet. special airport rates.
    Book in under 60 seconds. Professional drivers.24 hours assistance. Our services include taxi transfers to Gatwick, Heathrow, London, Luton & Stansted airport. we are here to make you comfortable and hassle less for. Friendly and reliable taxi service at competitive prices. Our commitment to you is quality and long-lasting.www.croydoncar.co.uk/

    RispondiElimina


  14. Croydon Cars MiniCab Service in London UK,Choose our Minicab for a quick trip and safely to get to the Gatwick Airport, Heathrow Airportalso offers some services to minicab drivers who are not associated with itin the area of Croydon and in other towns.We are offer Low Fair for Airport Transfers from Croydon everyday such as ?Croydon Minicabs ?Shirley Minicabs ?Waddon Minicabsand etc.We want to welcome you to our new corporate website:www.croydoncar.co.uk/

    RispondiElimina
  15. It was good blog…hope it will be enough to get more positive result and looks like a good starting point! It will help me for my starting my blog regarding English Language Classes.
    english lessons online

    RispondiElimina
  16. This exclusive Exodus walletfocused read is everything you’d need to understand the service along with steps to make transactions via your wallet accounts. You can read my blog with a click on the button above Exodus Crypto wallet

    RispondiElimina
  17. The purpose of providing expert education and visa services is to guide students to present themselves as best as they can in their admission applications. Sometimes you would come across a student with amazing education profiles, SAT scores and a list of extracurriculars that prove their interest in the subject but they do not end up getting into the university of their choice. Expert Education

    RispondiElimina
  18. You wrote them on post-it notes and put them on the classroom walls and divided in groups of four. I love your idea. Thanks for sharing this blog. Now it's time to avail luxury airport transfer for more information.

    RispondiElimina
  19. Malaga Airport Transfers is a transportation service provider that specializes in transfers to and from Malaga Airport in Spain. They offer a wide range of transportation options including private cars, shared shuttles, and luxury vehicles to suit every need and budget.

    RispondiElimina