Authentic English: Learning and Using English Within and Beyond the Classroom

2. Authentic English: Learning and Using English Within andBeyond the Classroom By: Amy E. Lingenfelter English Language Fellow 2013-14

3. Museum outings with tours in English • Consider who offers tours in English (e.g. Water museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, Guayasamin Museum, Mitad del Mundo, etc.) • Students write about: • Their favorite exhibit • 1 or more things they were surprised about • Things they liked and disliked • Questions they have to ask the tour guide or native English speaker in English, then they record the answers they • hear on a worksheet Ideas for Authentic English:

4. Museum outings with tours in English • Students can bring the brochure or take a photo of the exhibit description and find unknown vocabulary words in the text • If they are only available in Spanish, student can translate it and/or write about its meaning in English Ideas for Authentic English: ? =

5. Do other tours of the city led by English-speaking tour guides and tourists • Double decker bus tour, Old Town walking tour, Botanical Gardens tour, Centro Historico, etc. • Students write about: • Their favorite tour/aspect of the tour • 1 thing they were surprised about • Things they liked or disliked • Questions they have to ask the tour guide or native English speaker in English and record the answers • Talk to a native English speaker about what they are doing in Ecuador and record the questions and answers to the conversation Ideas for Authentic English:

6. Ideas for Authentic English:

7. Watch movies in English without relying on Spanish subtitles (use English subtitles). • Organize an English “movie night” • Write a movie review • Write and produce/film a “movie trailer” • Write an alternative ending or a sequel to movie • Create alternative dialogue scenes in the movie • Go to a restaurant with an English menu • Write a review of the restaurant in English using new words learned from the menu • Create/write an alternative or improved menu for that restaurant in English Ideas for Authentic English:

8. T.G.I. Fridays Menu:

11. Start a drama, improvisation, role-playing, and/or comedy club in English • Write the script in English and later film it • Great for practicing idioms, slang, and informal language • Join InterNations/Couch Surfing to meet native English speakers • Use this to join “socializing clubs” like art, knitting, photography, cooking, hiking, dancing, or any other kind of clubs in English with native speakers • Students do a presentation on their experience with this club, and/or “teach” classmates what they learned in English using process “how to” language Ideas for Authentic English:

12. Join InterNations/Couch Surfing to meet native English speakers • www.internations.org • www.couchsurfing.org Ideas for Authentic English:

13. Start a book or magazine (reading) discus-sion club in English • Create a list of suggested high-interest books or magazines appropriate for level, age, and cognitive difficulty (e.g. literal vs. full of metaphors) • Could be an independent reading assignment or guided reading using the same book • Various reading worksheets/activities (especially relating to vocabulary) could be used in the classroom • Short stories are ideal (e.g. one story per week) Ideas for Authentic English:

14. Ideas for Authentic English:

15. Ideas for Authentic English:

16. Establish penpals (email pals) with a native speaker in English • Set up an "intercambio" with a native speaker either in person or via Skype/another webinar software • Connect with people with similar interests/ages • www.livemocha.com • www.skype.com • Start a blog, trade magazine, newspaper, or other kind of "media" in English relating to student’s profession or personal interests • www.tumblr.com • www.blogger.com Ideas for Authentic English:

17. Start a speaking club related to student's profession or interests that is conducted all in English (which preferably includes at least one native speaker) • Politics/Debate • Cultural issues • Women’s club • Art • Knitting • Cooking • Hiking • Fashion • The list is endless! Ideas for Authentic English:

18. For cooking enthusiasts, read and follow recipes in English, particularly “American” recipes • Could be part of English “cooking” club • Have a potluck class dinner using meals cooked following English recipes and share/present recipes at the meal table • Design a restaurant with a book of the menu and several recipes in English • Translate their favorite recipes of their native country recipes into English Ideas for Authentic English:

19. Ideas for Authentic English: • MUSIC: Focus on music with English lyrics that students like most, and/or organize a song/karaoke club in English • Students can read and/or sing lyrics as they listen (along with the video if one exists) • Cloze/fill-in-the-blanks activities • Analyzing lyrics • Written response to lyrics • Using lyrics to teach grammar points or vocabulary • Translate your favorite Spanish song into English (and sing it) • Have a song day with real instruments and students can perform

24. Ideas for Authentic English:

25. Pay attention to all English that is available. If information is only available in English, take advantage of that as a learning opportunity! • Tags on clothing, packaging of products, product descriptions, signs, popular slogans, etc. • Information on internet only available in English • Bring in a “show and tell” of items with English and give presentation using new words learned • Use to learn and complete vocabulary exercises • Read and use “How to” manuals in English • When assembling or fixing something, read the instructions in English that are available instead • Give a class demonstration in English of “how to” do something providing instructions to all students Ideas for Authentic English:

26. Ideas for Authentic English:

27. Ideas for Authentic English: • Play or create a sports team/league with native speakers or one in which only English is used to conduct game activities • Write a “mock” newspaper article about the results of the game • Present a “how to” play the game or do a specific athletic move for the class • Make own Facebook or Twitter • account in English • Invite only English-speaking friends • Play “Trace Effects” video game: http://www.americanenglish.state.gov/trace-effects

28. Ideas for Authentic English:

29. If possible, look for jobs in tourism working with native English speaking tourists • Keep a list of all the English words and phrases that students read/hear in a portable notebook or electronic device • Write definitions, translations, and example sentences as seen in context • Write a paragraph or story using some or all of these words from the generated list • Do aforementioned vocabulary activities/exercises using these words • Perform role-play or do “charades” of these words for classmates Ideas for Authentic English:

30. Ideas for Authentic English: • Read and/or write a children's book or fable in English for oneself, children, nieces, nephews, etc.  (Student or someone else can illustrate it). • Provide graphics, drawings, photos to contextualize meaning and reinforce learning and vocabulary • Simpler English will help adults as well as children • Reading out loud always helps!

31. Ideas for Authentic English: • Find a boyfriend or girlfriend who is a native speaker and doesn't speak your native language as well as you speak English! • You will be forced to speak the language!

32. THE END! THANK YOU! • ANY QUESTIONS?  • MY CONTACT INFO: • My Website: www.peopleleap.com (go to “Resources > “Downloadable Documents, Learning Links, Reading Links, and Teacher Teacher Links!”) • My email: utopia747@gmail.com