STEFE Database

Learning Activities:  Context: School in UK

CONTEXT school in UK   ACTIVITY One

FOCUS  dealing with classroom management problems 

WAY OF WORKING work separately in  pairs by nationality then discuss together

PROCEDURE

Find the name Bernadette  in the French group of students in the column headed Classroom management skills.   Click on Bernadette .  Read what is printed in BLUE.
 

TASK

List the problems which Bernadette encounters in school. 
How would you cope with the problems she describes?
Do you agree with her when she says ‘not really cultural’?
How would you deal with a child who used bad language? 

CONTEXT school in UK    ACTIVITY Two

FOCUS developing classroom teaching skills

WAY OF WORKING work separately in  pairs by nationality then discuss together

PROCEDURE

Find the name Anne-Marie in the French group of students in the column headed Classroom teaching skills.   Click on Anne-Marie .  Read what is printed in BLUE.
 
 
 

TASK

How would you define what was meant by  ‘pace’? 
How can you involve pupils?
What would you think of as practical activites for Year 7, Year 9 and Year 11?

CONTEXT school in UK   ACTIVITY Three

FOCUS  perceived cultural differences; why learn French in school 

WAY OF WORKING work and discuss together as mixed nationality groups

PROCEDURE

Find the name Diane  in the French group of students in the column headed Social experiences and cultural differences.   Click on Diane.  To make comparisons click on  >> to find Sara.  On both occasions read what is printed in BLUE. 

TASK

Compare what Diane and Sara say about the English.  How much do you agree with their description of English people's geographically isolated attitude?

Are there any surprises for you in what they describe?

How would you answer a pupil in school who asked "why do we have to learn French?"   Agree between you on what you would say. 

CONTEXT school in UK   ACTIVITY Four

FOCUS  the teacher-pupil relationship in school; hierarchy in school; cultural differences between countries 

WAY OF WORKING work and discuss together as mixed nationality groups

PROCEDURE

Read and respond to the task before looking at the interview data
 

TASK

What sort of teacher-pupil relationship do you want as a student-teacher in a UK school? 

Do you think teacher-pupil relationships are different in France and in the UK?  Which situation do you see as preferable?  Why? 

What might be the consequences for a student-teacher of a strong hierarchical  school structure? 

Now compare what you have said with what Jean-Luc describes.
 

Find the name Jean-Luc in the French group of students in the column headed Social experiences and cultural differences.   Click on Jean-Luc.  Read what is printed in BLUE.
 
 

 Are there any surprises for you?  How would you deal with the sort of pupils he describes? Do you agree with the strategies he adopts?  Say why.

Can you identify with what he says about the effects of climate on mood?  Do you all agree?

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CONTEXT school in UK   ACTIVITY Five

FOCUS  English attitudes to 'otherness'; English and French class consciousness; laddish culture

WAY OF WORKING work separately in  pairs by nationality then discuss together
 

PROCEDURE

Find the name Lise in the French group of students in the column headed Social experiences and cultural differences.   Click on Lise.  Read what is printed in BLUE.
 
 

TASK

Do you all agree with Lise's opinion about English children's narrow minded attitudes?  If not, what evidence have you to support your view?  If you do agree, should a teacher try to do something about it?  If so, what, in practical, classroom  terms, would you envisage doing?  Make a list. 
 
 

Do you agree with what she says about 'laddish culture'?  Although she says that there seems little evidence of it in school do you agree?  Do you believe boys respond differently to language learning than girls?  Would you agree that some of your lesson content should be specifically focused so that it appeals more to boys? 
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CONTEXT school in UK   ACTIVITY  Six

FOCUS  racist remarks made to a French student-teacher 

WAY OF WORKING work and discuss together as mixed nationality groups

PROCEDURE
 
 

Find the name Simone in the French group of students in the column headed Social experiences and cultural differences.   Click on Simone.  Read what is printed in BLUE.
 
 

TASK

Hopefully it will not occur, but should a child in school makes a racist remark about the French or, even more seriously about a French student-teacher, what would you do?  Discuss these two situations and agree on a strategy to adopt.

What are your reactions to the comment Simone heard on the radio?   Do you all agree with such an attitude to life?