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Title: Enhancing EFL and Content-based Instruction through Art in the Classrooms
Speaker: Stacey Vye
It has often been said that art is larger than life. In fact, Sir Laurence Olivier once stated, ''Art is a little bit larger than life -- it's an exhalation of life and I think you probably need a little touch of madness.'' In the context of EFL and content-based instruction in Japan, 'a little touch of madness' could easily be viewed as creating exhilaration in classrooms for healthy learning experiences amongst the learners and the teacher alike (who is a learner too hopefully!).
During this workshop-style presentation, participants explored the expression of art in their EFL and content-based classrooms with students of various ages and language levels. During the first part of the presentation, Vye discussed how art can be applied to teach concepts such as learner strategies and the L2 self system theory, both concepts she uses with her university students. In her classes, Vye's students made a map of their own learning system using the metaphor of a tree. The roots represent their L1 language and culture, and branches their current L2 skills. Rain and sun symbolize supporting mechanism such as friends and cognitive strategies. Using this artistic metaphor can give students insight into their own learning strategies. In the second half of the presentation, participant used provided art materials to explore how easily art can enhance what they are teaching. Vye's presentation was bookended with a helpful list of questions educators should ask themselves before introducing art into their language classrooms.
Venue
Maebashi Kyoai Gakuen College
1154-4 Koyahara-machi
Maebashi, Gunma 379-2192
Attendance
Members, 1st-timers and students: Free
One-day Members: ¥1,000
Stacey Vye is an Associate Professor at Saitama University at the Center for English Education and Development (CEED) and has been living in Japan for half of her life. Her research interests and publications focus on exploring reflection, EFL college preparation for studying abroad, learner and teacher autonomy in language education including the connections between both capacities. She likes bringing realia such as music and art in the classroom to enhance the learners’ experiences (and the teacher’s too!). She can be contacted at <stacey.vye@gmail.com>.
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