Wendy Arnold Middle East series 20th March-3rd April 2010 Materials adaptation Wendy Arnold Middle East series 20th March-3rd April 2010

From curriculum to learner! Matching the curriculum to the learners needs

Overview of session Why does a coursebook need to be learner friendly? Identifying different learning styles Identifying activities for different learning styles Identifying why specific activities lead to learning Identifying why specific activities do NOT lead to learning Identifying HOW to modify activities so they lead to learning

Materials Read 10% List, define explain, describe……. Hear 20% See 30% Apply, practise, demonstrate………. See & hear 50% Analyse, evaluate, create, design…… Say & write 70% You only remember 10% of what you read, 20% of what you hear, 30% of what you hear etc. but 90% of what you do! Do 90% Based on Edgar Dale cone of experience

IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR CLASSROOMS PRODUCTIVE SKILLS OF WRITING AND SPEAKING ARE VERY IMPORTANT! BUT You can’t have them without practising receptive skills of listening and reading!

Something to consider about language learning …. THINK-PAIR-SHARE read write say hear You need to …… a word before you can ….. it You need to ….. a word before you can …. it You need to …. a word before you can …. It (Linse 2005)

You need to HEAR a word before you can SAY it WHY?

You need to SAY a word before you can READ it WHY?

You need to READ a word before you can WRITE it WHY?

Why do materials need to be learner friendly? THINK PAIR – share your ideas with a partner SHARE – two pairs share ideas AGREE on 2 reasons why materials should be learner friendly

Identifying different learning styles (different ways people learn) GROUPWORK THINK What do you know about learning styles?

Identifying different learning styles SHARE Identify 2 characteristics of learning styles 1) 2)

Did you include these?

Do these help? Profits going down A cute baby Roses in full bloom

You could add these Ambiguous picture Brainstorming around a word REFLECT How can you use these in your lessons? Why would you use these ideas?

An auditory learner I can see 6 legs Add an egg And here is how we’re going to win I can see 6 legs Add an egg You need to add flour!

You could add these Classifying Brainstorming around a word REFLECT How can you use these in your lessons? Why would you use these ideas?

Kinesthetic learner

You could add these Wendy says Making a fortune teller REFLECT How can you use these in your lessons? Why would you use these ideas?

Identifying activities for different learning styles GROUPWORK Look at the materials carefully. Identify an activity for Visual learner Auditory learner Kinesthetic learners Discuss WHY you think these activities match these learning styles

A closer look at the materials VISUAL AUDITORY KINESTHETIC

Identifying why specific activities lead to learning THINK Choose one activity and consider WHAT would be learnt Now consider WHY learning would happen PAIR – share your ideas with a partner

Activities and learning styles GROUPWORK Identify activities which are NOT suitable for Visual learners Auditory learners Kinesthetic learners Consider WHY they are not suitable? Consider how to make them suitable!

Modifying materials GROUPWORK Share what you have done with another group Identify 1 modification that can be done to an activity in order to make it suitable for Visual learners Auditory learners Kinesthetic learners

Identifying HOW to modify activities so they lead to learning THINK How can you make one of these activities for each learning style … learner friendly? Visual learner activity Auditory learner activity Kinesthetic learner activity Modification ideas

Putting it all together! GROUP You have 5 minutes to plan a given language concept. You are going to teach it to another group. REMEMBER Learning styles Mixed ability!

Materials Workshop: Primary Tell your partner: 1) 1 thing which is new information for you 2) 1 thing which surprises you 3) 1 thing you want to try in your class this week if you are a teacher.

MANY THANKS You have been a wonderful group. Many thanks for working so well together.

Useful websites For students: http://younglearners.eslreading.org/ http://www.britishcouncil.org/kids-games.htm For teachers: http://www.teachers.tv/stages/primary http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/ For parents: http://www.britishcouncil.org/parents.htm

References Linse, C (2005) Young Learners. New York:McGraw Hill