Tuesday, May 17, 2011

DREAM ENGLISH



STORYTELLING IN ENGLISH

STORYTELLING IN ENGLISH
Introduction - Reflection
Warming up our minds…
Close your eyes and let me guide you through
a relaxing reflection.

What are the most important aspects of storytelling?

• For the listener?

– The story is engaging.
– The storyteller is engaging.
– The listener can participate in the storytelling.

• For the storyteller?

– Choose the right story.
– Make the storytelling fun and interesting.
– Include the listeners in the storytelling.

Characteristics of Young Learners


ü  Impulsive
ü  Inquisitive
ü  Energetic
ü  Spontaneous
ü  Entertained
ü  Social







How do children learn?

ü  Children are active learners and thinkers.(Piaget, 1970)
ü  Children learn through social interaction.(Vygotsky, 1962)
ü  Children learn effectively through scaffolding by adults. (Bruner, 1983)

Rationale for using stories

ü  Stories use a holistic approach to language teaching.
ü  Stories support natural acquisition of language.
ü  Stories can introduce children to other cultures and attitudes.
ü  Stories help children develop critical thinking skills.
ü  Children love stories!


Techniques for storytelling

ü  If students are unfamiliar with storytelling, begin with short sessions.
ü  Have younger children sit on the floor around you.
ü  Read slowly and clearly.
ü  Make comments about the illustrations.
ü  Encourage children to take part in the storytelling.
ü  Vary the pace, tone and volume of voice.
ü  Pause where appropriate.
ü  Disguise your voice for different characters.
ü  Make sound effects where possible.
ü  10.Ask questions that involve children.
ü  11.Do not be afraid to repeat, expand, and reformulate.

Pre- and post storytelling activities

PRE-STORYTELLING ACTIVITIES

ü   Capture their attention.
ü   Connect to prior knowledge and experiences.
ü   Review language in the story children already know.
ü  Teach new vocabulary or expressions.
ü  Have children predict what will happen in the story.
ü  Give students a purpose for listening.

POST-STORYTELLING ACTIVITIES
ü  Q&A
ü  TPR (Total Physical Response)
ü  Group retelling
ü  Create your own ending
ü  Drama and role playing
ü  Story mapping
ü  Story boarding
ü  Games that check comprehension (e.g.,“Start & Stop”, retelling with mistakes, pictures out of order)

Evaluation of English Language Textbooks

Evaluation of English language textbook:  Some important issues for consideration.

Evaluation of textbooks

Predictive Evaluation

Retrospective Evaluation
It is done for the purpose of the selection of books.
It is on-going evaluation of the textbooks which takes place after the book has been selected for use.


Predictive Evaluation: there are two main types of predictive evaluation of textbooks:
ü  The Implicit Model
ü  The Explicit Model
The Implicit Model:
ü  It is based on impressions.
ü  It depends on taecher intuitions.
ü  It can be good when it is done by experienced teachers.
The Explicit Model:
ü  It can be used in situations where many teachers teach a particular level.
ü  It is done using a evaluation in the form of a checklist.
ü  Some Problems in Predictive Evaluation
ü  The lack of time.
ü  The use of evaluation instrument which especially if untested for reliability and validity.

Retrospective Evaluation: It is known as in-use evaluation of textbooks. This involves continuous evaluation of the textbook. It is done for several reasons:
ü  The book selected can be evaluated and re-evaluated to determine suitability.
ü  Teachers can use the results to make the book more effective by identifying parts that need attention.
Retrospective Evaluation gives us:
Composite Framework
ü  Teachers work on the retrospective evaluation project will be discovering the strengths and weaknesses of the textbook.
ü  The findings of the textbook evaluation will allow teachers teaching the same level.
Activity Sequence
ü  Using the checklist teachers do team evaluation periodically.
ü  Teachers work on getting the textbook pages to be digitized in the form of textfiles.
ü  Teachers keep reflective journals.
ü  A final evaluation should be carried out after the teachers have completely used the book.