Learning with Projects – Yes or no?

I have always believed in Project Based Learning. It gets students out of the ordinary. They see it as lost “free” time, but if you think of it more closely, its an opportunity for learning, it gives them the chance to produce and use language without even noticing it. 

So, depending on the class, the level and the student personality, a new project took place every year:

·      Book / movie project: Students had to describe their favourite book or film in video for the class blog or as a presentation to the whole class. The advantages of this project are that students have to read a book or watch a film (without subtitles or with English subtitles if their level is not as high), do research, and actually produce language in written and oral form.

·      Interviews: Students can interview a teacher, or even a foreign person though Skype, record the interview and express themselves in the target language. It can be a pair or an individual activity.

·      Recipes: Have your students write or translate a recipe and turn this into a book! This can be fun if students also try out their recipes and bring food to class (something as a food party) or even sell their recipe book and give the money to charity

·      Learn your city: Students find information about different places of their city and make videos or write reports about them. They can also contact classes around the world and share their projects and learn about places in the world. 

·      Visit museums and exhibitions: Students have a questionnaire that they have to fill out as groups. Afterwards they can present their findings to the rest of the class. 

Projects are serious work, but it is also a chance for both students and teacher to bond. 

Can’t wait to read about your project ideas.