„ „Teaching English as a Foreign language In Zespol Szkol in Tenczynek, poland”

Age Groups In the Polish system of education learning a foreign language is obligatory from the age of 7 and the first foreign language which pupils study is mostly English. Our school is a complex which consists of primary and lower secondary schools. The students are between 7 and 16 years old and teaching is divided into three age categories: 7-9 years old (Early Primary School) 10-12 years old (Upper Primary School) 13-16 years old (Lower Secondary School)

Early primary school teaching During the first three years of primary school, students have two lessons of English a week. Pupils are given various exercises developing the skill of understanding through listening, which is integrated with speaking. It takes place by means of chants, poems, songs, dialogues or stories.

Early primary school teaching Lessons are built around topics familiar to kids, such as family, school objects, food or pets. Language is connected with physical activities. Children use it for creating things, drawing and labelling pictures, completing puzzles, matching words and pictures, playing games, acting out movements in response to instructions. As kids have short attention span, the activities are quick and must be enjoyable. Since children enjoy socializing and cooperating with others, tasks often include pair or group work.

Early primary school teaching In the classrooms there is an area with a carpet, where the teacher usually presents new language by means of flashcards and kids can sit and play games during the class. From the age of 8 (once pupils have learnt to write Polish letters) they start to read and rewrite words and short sentences in English.

Upper primary school In year 4, pupils start the second level of education. There are three hours of English a week and if the class consists of more than 25 students, they are divided into smaller groups. Teaching becomes more formal, students begin to learn some grammar rules but the work concentrates on practising meaningful communication and developing different skills. One of the coursebooks we are using at our school is called „Steps Forward.” It has got a digital version and the materials used during the lessons also include workbook, printable worksheets (e.g. with culture materials), DVDs, online activities or games for the students.

Upper primary school Each unit opens with a vocabulary lesson and the vocabulary corresponds to students’ lives, interests and the requirements of Polish ministry sylabus (podstawa programowa) Language structures are presented in context - in a form of a humorous and engaging photostory, whose episodes are connected with the unit topic. Later each grammar point is illustrated with a clear table and graded practice. The activities are short and fun, which makes grammar lessons lively. Students are given many kinds of activities to develop language skills and they have chances to present their opinions, exchange information or describe the people or places they are familiar with. The book also has culture sections which broaden students’ knowledge of English-speaking countries.

Lower Secondary School At the age of 13 students start the lower secondary school called “Gimnazjum” and they also have three hours of English a week. This is the time when they start learning a second foreign language but usually only once a week. Like at the previous level of education, the number of students in the group cannot exceed 25. After three years, students have to sit the final written exam, consisting of a basic level and extended level. Thus, the coursebooks we use must cover all the requirements of the gimnazjum curriculum (15 vocabulary topics, grammar structures, as well as language functions and skills)

Lower Secondary School For this age group we are using a book called „Next Move.” It is a modern coursebook with a digital version. There are interesting and meaningful topics for teenegers. Apart from language development, it also promotes social and cultural awareness and helps young people to develop initiative, cooperation and other life skills.

Teaching materials The materials used for teaching English in our school are various and attractive: They include: -coursebooks -workbooks -printable worksheets -flashcards and posters (for younger students) -DVDs with stories and facts about life and culture in different parts of the English- speaking world for every level -Since students today have grown up with technology all around them, we try to use a lot of online materials. For each book there is a digital version - students can see all the resources in interactive way, which makes teaching and learning really engaging and enjoyable.

Facilities for teaching languages To facilitate foreign language teaching and learning the classrooms are equipped with projectors or interactive boards. We have a language lab where older students have an opportunity to practise and develop speaking skills. Some lessons take place in a computer lab, where students can do different language projects. The school library has got a choice of English speaking books and magazines

Promotion of learning english To promote English language learning and make it more meaningful to students, we organize special events at our school: Language day (students solve quizzes, do different projects connected with English speaking countries and sing English songs) Song contest, called “Music is my world” where students from primary and lower secondary schools in our area can show their singing talents in English School Plays – adaptations of famous fairy tales in English, prepared by Lower Secondary school students and shown to all school community, Taking part in EU projects – Erasmus+ and Euroweek.

Euroweek is an English language camp organized by European Youths Forum with the cooperation of European Union. Students from our school participate in this project twice a year. The main objective of the course is to enhance communication and develop speaking skills by taking part in different kind of communicative and interactive activities, workshops, debates, discussions, in a stress free environment. The leaders and instructors of this course are volunteers from different parts of the world. Students also watch interesting presentations about the volunteers’ countries and learn about their culture, history, landmarks, cuisine. At the end of this course students working in groups create their own presentations or prepare a mini drama show. The effect of taking part in the course is reduction of the language barrier.

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