Making Modern Language Learning Entertaining
Over 50 Modern Foreign Language students are set to develop their language learning by staging their own versions of EastEnders and Blind Date in French and German on Thursday 15th January 2004 at Langley Performing Arts College, Solihull, with help from University of Warwick PGCE trainee teachers.
Modern Languages PGCE trainee teachers from Warwick will encourage the students to further develop their language expertise by helping them put together dramatic representations in a foreign tongue.
The Year 7 pupils students are set to ‘perform’ in either French or German at the end of the session to an audience of trainee teachers, fellow pupils and Modern Foreign Language teachers. Celebrities feature strongly in this year’s performances, and students have developed scenes including TV interviews with stars, celebrity puppets discussing star gossip and a disco scene. Other performances include spoofs of TV shows EastEnders and Blind Date.
The pupils will practise language in a variety of ways so that they feel confident to perform something off by heart.
Marilyn Hunt, Lecturer in MFL Teacher Education, University of Warwick, said: “Drama is an excellent way of enthusing and motivating pupils to use their foreign language skills in an innovative and creative way, through the use of props and exciting themes.”
“In today's global business environment, competency in more than one language is seen as a real asset and people with language skills earn 8% more than those without. As well as this, 90% of the world's population live in countries where English is not the native tongue and a lot of young people take real joy in learning to speak in another language and enjoying foreign cultures.”
For more information contact:
Marilyn Hunt,
Lecturer in MFL Teacher Education,
University of Warwick,
Tel: 024 7652 2120,
Home: 01926 421 849
Jenny Murray,
Communications Office,
University of Warwick,
Tel: 02476 574 255,
Mobile: 07876 217 740
Pauline van der Will,
Head of Modern Languages,
Langley Performing Arts College
Tel: 0121 706 9771
Performances will take place 2.30pm - 3.00pm at Langley Performing Arts College, Solihull.
Photographers are welcome to attend the event.