Our school is cool

The four centers involved in the English Time network have organized for the first year and intercenter collaborative project that builds on the participation of English Time students (2nd ESO) aiming to introduce their school facilities, school life and the educational community opinion. We called the project "Our school is cool".

Students feel free to introduce their own school using a video format or throughout text and images including specific vocabulary related to school and school equipment in an authentic setting. It has been an engaging way not only to learn vocabulary and practise pronunciation but to empower our students and promote the participation of all the members of the school community. 

The project has been really useful for establishing links with the English Time schools and learn from one another before the students meet in the ET Masterclass, our official meeting point.

PROJECT DETAILS

INFORMATION:

• • Students will create a video presentation, working cooperatively, about the high-school. They will introduce common places: laboratories, secretary, canteen, gym

  • 5 students per group

  • The final product will be uploaded in the high-school website and it will be used as a presentation for freshmen students at the beginning of the year.

GROUP TASKS:

Group 1: Music Lab As preparation for the activity students will conduct internet research about the names of the different instruments and music styles in English and will also prepare an interview for the music teacher working in the school.

The activity will consist of a presentation of the music room naming the parts of the lab as well as the instruments or appliances used in the classes. In order to do it, they will use a video camera and a microphone. They will explain their personal experience about the music lessons and their feelings towards it. They will also record a couple of demonstrations of them playing musical instruments. Finally, they will interview the music teachers asking them about the curriculum, experiences and motivations.

Group 2: The Canteen The people working on the canteen as well as two teachers of natural science are willing to help a group of 5 students to develop this activity.

As preparation for the activity students will conduct internet research to look for the names in English of the food served in the canteen. They will also look for information about eating healthily and recycling.

The activity will consist of a presentation of the school canteen. In order to do it, students will talk about the parts and furniture of the canteen, the organization as well as the food served. They will also explain how healthy the foods sold are by giving arguments that reinforce their explanations (amount of calories, fat, carbohydrates...). Finally they will talk about the recycling policy of the general waste produced by the canteen in an everyday basis.

Group 3: The Gymnasium A group of 5 students will conduct internet research to look for the names in English of sports they practice as well as gym equipment and they’ll have to explain what they use the equipment for and which activities do they perform at the gym. Possible interview to PE teachers, Healthy benefits of physical activity. Final product will be a presentation of the gym.

Group 4: Caretakers and secretary As preparation for the activity, students will conduct internet research to look for the names in English of the different tasks the caretaker and the secretary are supposed to perform at the high school.

The activity will consist of a presentation of the caretaker and secretary place of work describing the rooms where they work, the objects they usually use and every single task they perform. A group of 5 students will interview them describing everything they do.

Group 5:  An ordinary day at school The activity is focused on knowing how people felt in the high school. A group of five students will go and interview students, teachers or other members or the community of different profiles.

As preparation for the activity students will prepare a questionnaire to ask their mates about their impressions on their high school.

The idea is to interview different profiles: 2nd ESO students, students of aula d’acollida, new arrivals from different courses, teachers…

ASSESSMENT AND FINAL THOUGHTS

1.During production: The teacher is going to keep a record of what students have done in each session  (about the organization of the groups, the problems, the progress and achievements...) by listening, watching and documenting what is seen and heard which is going to be useful to evaluate the whole process after the completion of the project.

2. After production: The project evaluation will take into account the students’ degree of effort or involvement as well as the final product (video presentation). We will take into account the oral presentation in terms of content, accuracy, delivery (pronunciation, voice tone), body language and eye contact, creativity, preparedness and timing and teamwork. It will be completed by the teacher and students alike.

3. Self-assessment: At the end of the project the students are going to be asked to evaluate their work. They are going to be given the following questions to make them think in their learning project:

Do you think the project has been a valuable experience? Why? Why not?

Have you had the feeling at any point that the project has just been a way of not doing ‘conventional’ classes?

Are you satisfied with the part you took in the project? If not, what would you have liked to do?

What are the aspects that could be improved? (planning/presentation)

WORKSHEETS READY-TO-USE