These are the topics we will cover:
- Use appropriate strategies in language learning, text creation, and communication.
- Use appropriate digital resources and other tools in language learning, text creation, and interaction.
- Apply pronunciation patterns effectively in communication.
- Listen to, understand, and use academic language when working on oral and written texts.
- Express oneself nuancedly and precisely, with fluency and coherence, employing idiomatic expressions and varied sentence structures suited to purpose, audience, and context.
- Account for others’ arguments and engage with their input in conversations and discussions on various topics.
- Apply knowledge of connections between English and other languages the student is familiar with in their language learning.
- Utilize knowledge of grammar and text structure when working on oral and written texts.
- Read, discuss, and reflect on the content and stylistic devices in various types of texts, including self-selected ones.
- Read, analyze, and interpret English-language literary works.
- Read and compare various nonfiction texts on the same topic from different sources and critically evaluate the reliability of these sources.
- Use various sources critically, appropriately, and with accountability.
- Write different types of formal and informal texts, including multimodal ones, with structure and coherence, to describe, discuss, justify, and reflect according to purpose, audience, and context.
- Assess and revise one’s texts based on academic criteria and knowledge of language.
- Describe key aspects of the emergence of English as a global language.
- Explore and reflect on diversity and social conditions in the English-speaking world from a historical perspective.
- Discuss and reflect on form, content, and stylistic devices in English-language cultural expressions from various media, including music, film, and games.
Lesson plan:
1. Digital Identity and Community Building
- The Story of Ibelin: Exploring Digital Identity through Mats Steen
Examines the role of digital identity in personal and social growth. It uses the story of Mats Steen, a Norwegian gamer, to explore how online communities provide belonging, independence, and cross-cultural connections. Students analyze the benefits and challenges of distinct online personas, incorporating reflections on their own digital identities and the impact of cultural contexts. Read the Ibelin lesson plan here.
2. Language Skills and Text Creation
- Teaching ‘Two Kinds’ by Amy Tan
Focuses on critical literary analysis, exploring narrative structure, and cultural themes while developing oral and written expression skills. Aligns with nuanced communication and interpreting English-language scholarly works. Link here.
3. Language sources and traditions
Use various sources critically, appropriately, and with accountability. Use appropriate strategies in language learning, text creation, and communication.
Uncovering the Origins of the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree Tradition.
Objective: Students will learn about the little-known history of the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree tradition and its connection to Ian Fleming, while developing critical thinking, research, and presentation skills. Page here.
- Addressing Distractions (Adapted from The New York Times)
Covers strategies for language learning and text creation.
Lesson plan on addressing distractions. How to focus like it’s 1990 in 2024
4. Critical Thinking and Media Literacy
- Analyzing Misinformation: A Lesson Plan
Helps students evaluate source reliability and biases, aligning with using digital resources in language learning and critically evaluating sources.
Can we control the weather? “Weather made to order”.
5. Teaching about the national union of mineworkers strike and gay rights using the movie Pride.
- Before watching the movie research and write a short text about the following topics: The Miner strike, Margaret Thatcher, and the gay rights in the UK during the 1980s. Work in groups of two
- Watch the movie, if you are a student in Norway you can watch the movie here. NDLA
- After watching the movie using this article as a source “The Guardian.”, write about the following topics;
- How could the Gay Pride comrades support a group that answered by beating them up every day? The very people they are now asked to support. Despite hefty donations, many of the miners and their wives remain frostily hostile to the incomers amid growing anxieties about Aids.
- How did the
miners return the favor? - What role did Margaret Thatcher play in the miner strike and how long did it last?
- Did you learn anything by watching this movie that you did not already know?
- Tasks in Norwegian found here; study sheet Source: FilmWeb
Competency Goals Addressed:
- Critical Thinking and Analysis of Texts
Goal: “analyse, interpret and assess the content and form of different types of texts, including literary texts, films, and other aesthetic expressions.”- The lesson asks students to analyze and interpret the movie Pride, a literary and aesthetic work, by exploring its historical context and themes. Students evaluate how the film portrays the complexities of solidarity and prejudice within two marginalized groups.
- Cultural Understanding and Historical Context
Goal: “explore and reflect on cultural expressions from different periods and parts of the world.”- Students research and discuss the historical events of the 1984-85 miner strike, Margaret Thatcher’s policies, and the evolution of gay rights in the UK, gaining a deeper understanding of British cultural and political history during the 1980s.
- Oral and Written Communication
Goal: “express themselves in a nuanced and precise manner to convey opinions, experiences, and knowledge.”- Through group research and written responses to specific questions, students practice articulating their thoughts in English, both orally and in writing, using historical and cinematic evidence to support their views.
- Interdisciplinary Thinking and Global Perspectives
Goal: “reflect on how encounters with diverse cultural expressions and experiences can provide insight into one’s own and others’ ways of life, values, and beliefs.”- The lesson emphasizes empathy and understanding by exploring how two different marginalized groups—the miners and the LGBTQ+ community—overcame prejudice to support one another. Students are encouraged to reflect on their own values and compare them with those depicted in the film.
- Media Literacy and Source Evaluation
Goal: “critically assess, use, and cite different sources to develop understanding.”- Students are required to research topics using reliable sources like The Guardian and NDLA, promoting skills in identifying credible information and incorporating it into their work.
- Collaboration and Group Work
Goal: “use strategies for collaboration, including digital resources, to solve problems and develop language skills.”- The group-based approach fosters collaboration and cooperative learning, encouraging students to use digital tools and resources to research and complete their assignments.
- Reflection on Learning and Knowledge Acquisition
Goal: “reflect on their own learning process, and assess their development in learning English.”- The post-viewing reflection question, “Did you learn anything by watching this movie that you did not already know?” encourages students to consider their personal learning journey and recognize new insights.
5. Cultural and Historical Contexts
- Teaching the Topic of Diversity and Social Conditions in the English-Speaking World
Delves into diversity, social and historical contexts, and English as a global language. Supports exploring societal conditions and historical perspectives.
Social and Economic Conditions in English-Speaking Countries - Analyzing Historical Events as a Tapestry of Human Experiences
Relates to themes of exploring diversity and social conditions from historical perspectives.
Find more insights here.
6. Creative and Analytical Writing
- Decoding Political Rhetoric
Covers applying knowledge of grammar, and text structure, and analyzing stylistic devices in texts. “Examining American Exceptionalism and Progress” - Analyzing the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election
Explores nonfiction texts, critical evaluation of sources, and discussions on social conditions. “Reflecting on Democratic Values and Rhetorical Techniques in Political Statements“
