MATE 5th National Inspectors ColloquiumInnovations in the new Moroccan textbooks and teacher supervisionRabat 01-02-03 November, 2007 : MATE 5th National Inspectors ColloquiumInnovations in the new Moroccan textbooks and teacher supervisionRabat 01-02-03 November, 2007 Incorporating Project Work into the Classroom
Khalil Zakari
The Project Work Tradition : The Project Work Tradition Since the mid-seventies, as ELT has espoused principles of learner-centred teaching, learner autonomy, the negotiated syllabus, collaborative learning, and task-based learning, English language educators have explored and exploited the tradition of project work, and it is now part of the curriculum in many contexts.
Defining Project Work : Defining Project Work Project work is viewed "not as a replacement for other teaching methods" but rather as "an approach to learning which complements mainstream methods and which can be used with almost all levels, ages and abilities of students" (Haines 1989).
Project Work in ELT : Project Work in ELT Motivation is increased
All four skills are integrated
Autonomous learning is promoted
Tasks and language input are authentic
Interpersonal relations are developed
Content and methodology are negotiated
Implementation Plan : Implementation Plan Initial Stage
Select a topic
Discuss the topic
Develop questions and assign tasks
Implementation Stage
Provide resources
Suggest ways to investigate the topic
Enable students to be aware of the work being done through class discussion and display
(continued) : (continued) Concluding Stage
Arrange opportunities to share the end-product and experiences
Offer pupils ways of personalizing their new knowledge
Reflect on the project (process & product) and record feedback
Role of the Teacher : Role of the Teacher Language Consultant
Designer/Engineer
Coordinator
Resource Provider
Assessor
PROJECT WORK IN INSIGHTS INTO ENGLISH : PROJECT WORK IN INSIGHTS INTO ENGLISH Project 1: Booklet or Wall Display (p:41)
Project 2: Report (p:75)
Project 3: Oral Presentation (p:98)
Project 4: Flyer or Leaflet (p:127)
Project 5: Oral Presentation (p:151)
Ideas for Projects:
Useful phrase book
Poster project
Guest speaker(s)
Assessing a Project : Assessing a Project Why assess?
To improve the quality of the learning and teaching process
What to assess?
Not just the end product
Pupils’ performance throughout the process e.g. their understanding of the topic, grasp of new knowledge and skills, dedication to the project, cooperation with others, etc.
(continued) : (continued) Who and whom to assess?
Teacher assessment
Teacher assessing students
Peer assessment
Students assessing each other
Self-assessment
Students assessing themselves
Teacher assessing himself/herself
Some Possible Drawbacks of Project Work : Some Possible Drawbacks of Project Work Learners using their own language. If the class are monolingual they may use their L1 a lot.
Some learners doing nothing. By giving more freedom to the learners you may also be giving them the freedom to do nothing!
Groups working at different speeds. One group may have 'finished' the project after a couple of hours and say they have nothing to do.
References: : References: Haines, S 1989. Projects for the EFL classroom London: Nelson
Henry, J. 1994. Teaching through projects. London: Kogan Page Limited.
Papandreou, A. 1994. An application of the projects approach to EFL. English Teaching Forum, 32, 3, pp.41-42.