Corner Work advantages + problems / dangers

advantages the ‘fun’ part: very pupil-centered!! pupils can choose themselves! »topic: e.g. Hobbies – either focus on animals or on sports pupils can try out new techniques: »not only theoretical teaching but also practice: e.g. they learn how to make a powerpoint presentation (here about sports or animals) »the use of computers / films / webquests /sound files /... pupils learn from each other (organisation!)

lots of new possibilities! pupils work at their own speed a lot of different activities (individual work, group assignment, pair work, …) happening at the same time nice ‘English’ climate and stimulating learning environment : -the perfect balance between the four skills! -more time for the teacher to focus on individual feedback (if well organised!!)

dangers pupils are responsible for their learning –avoid too much teacher – control: / they sign the paper whenever they have finished a certain task teacher(s) has (have) more time to give real feedback – to assess speaking, writing activities –avoid too much guidance: stimulate them to use dictionaries, to learn from each other, to think for themselves, to solve problems… pupils receive two ‘(UK)flags’ they can ‘raise’ if they need some explanation – they should be careful not to use them too soon / think first and try to solve the problem themselves

problem 1 Organisation: –The study coach: a ‘must’ / should be ‘pupil- friendly’The study coach –Not too many words –Attractive lay-out –Clear structure –Use of symbols, icons, easy to recognise –Feedback: either the teacher or a correction key –Don’t forget to study-tips– clear reference to pages, grids, …. rules to study –The introduction: motivating + stimulating + descriptive –(the teacher’s attitude + clear instructions)

problem 2 classrooms: limited number of computers – class management solution:pair work –differentiation possibilities: the stronger ‘computer- expert’ helps the weaker ‘computer-dummy’ –saves time –a ‘must’ in larger classes –strict rules / time restriction?: in the study coach technical aspects: the efficient use of computers – what if problems? (alternatives!!)

problem 3 class management / feedback overwhelming: quite a lot of things are happening at the same time! not that easy to keep everything under control solutions: -clear distinction between active and passive skills - the passive skills: correction keys (reading – listening skills) / the active skills: teacher(s) or pupils who had already finished the exercise! - the writing exercises (open questions) can be corrected afterwards (homework – zelfstandig werk) – a score + individual feedback - the speaking (open questions) can be corrected by the teacher – immediate feedback + realistic + natural language / clear instructions – write your name on the BB – T decides when who is telling him their opinion

problem 4 time management:2 options: strict time schedule –advantages »teacher decides in advance »easier to finish off the project –disadvantages »can decrease pupils’ involvement »too much stress »less ‘pupil power’ : they have to stop although they were really involved free choice ( with restricted number of obligatory corners) –advantages: »pupils work at their own speed and have more freedom »differentiation possibilities –disadvantages »even more difficult to keep under control »more rules in advance (study coach)

an example HOBBIES : animals – sports – the imperative (Unit 4 :All Aboard 1) –2 baso Engels: Annemieke Anthonis, Anneke Claessens, Mart Maes, Wouter Wylin –Class: 2MOA7 (Lille) –Click on ‘an example’ (title), watch the video-recording and give your comments

corner 1 vocabulary: animals / animal sounds –Sound file: animal sounds »correction key –True or False: Animal Facts –Are you an animal lover?

corner 2: optional The reading corner: the waiting room –Pupils can choose one of the magazines and read the selected article about sports or animals –They look for the translation of the difficult words in dictionaries. –This list can be used by the teacher to select active vocabulary worth studying! –Pupils hand in their written assignments / teacher corrects them at home and gives feedback afterwards

corner 3 Crossword puzzles: the pupils work in team and help each other filling in the crossword puzzles – they can help each other, one condition: in English! Speaking and reading skills Co-operative learning

corner 4 The powerpoint cornerpowerpoint –Pupils learn how to make a powerpoint presentation (3 slides) –In the instructions they get familiar with the imperative –Pair work: pupils help and learn from each other! –Pupils assess each other’s powerpoint and give their feedback at the end of the whole session

corner 5 optional pupils choose their favourite animal film: Shrek, Shark Tale or The Lion King pupils answer some questions about the chosen film(written task) pupils make a list of all the animals they can find in the film extract+ correct themselves open questions: written preparation + oral speech with the teacher: individual feedback!

feedback: pupils – some quotes: real fun

Feedback teachers: some quotes nice experiment worth trying positive reactions of pupils were really stimulating: they were really involved and even used dictionaries without telling them!

a lot of extra time / energy to organise this corner work – team teaching – team preparation is a ‘must’

next time: more focus on study coach – autonomous learning a real file for each pupil: saves time during the sessions and can be used to study the new vocabulary/grammar feedback: more realistic + more efficient organisation