Experiential Module

Materials for Language Teachers and Learners

Activity Designs

The following is a collection of in-class activity plans designed to accompany the virtual modules that I developed on Canvas. Each will use the fairy tale upon which the module was based as thematic or lexical inspiration. Although a fully online foreign language course offers versatility and availability of resources more efficiently than a traditional one, a key drawback of such courses is the frequent inability to coordinate synchronous communication between students. However, should such an arrangement be possible in a fully online or blended learning environment, these activities are readily adaptable (see suggestions for variations on each activity page).

Because these activities were specifically designed to address an interpersonal communication gap in the existing online course, each places a heavy emphasis on group work and student cooperation. This moves the activities away from the realm of assignment, and more closely aligns them with the principles of traditional language learning tasks.

Retelling the Story.docx

Retelling the Story

Using an adapted jigsaw method, students will each be asked to retell a major story event, changing details as they please. Groups are then formed with all story parts, and a cohesive story board must be created reconciling the differences everyone has imagined in their versions.

Adapting the Language

Dyads will be assigned to work with a key phrase from the text before reading it. They must create a dialogue using the phrase that makes clear its meaning, as they will go on to use their dialogue to teach this phrase to the class.

Adapting the Language.docx

The Way Home.docx

The Way Home

Students will form dyads and each be given two copies of a blank map. On one of these copies, students will place pertinent locations from the story wherever they like. Afterwards, they must guide their partner through each story location in the correct order using imperative commands, while the partner traces their way through the second blank map copy.

Another Perspective

Students are asked to choose a character from the story and write a summary of the story events through this character’s perspective, as if the character were retelling the events to a close friend. Students will then present their short summaries while their peers work together to listen and figure out from whose perspective the story had been rewritten.