Building Block 1: Generate Ideas
What do languages build for you? Engage students in a discussion on how languages can shape people, societies, and cultures. How can learning a language change their lives?
See what some of the research says about the impact of learning languages. Show your students some of the past winning videos to inspire them and get them talking about language learning.
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Step 1: Reflect
Encourage students to reflect on:
- Personal experiences with the language (past and future)
- Relationships with others who speak or are learning the language
- Personal motivators (i.e., exchange trips, movies, programs, etc.)
Have you ever experienced an “aha! moment” while learning your second/additional language? Why was this experience so significant?
You could also use a metaphor to help students reflect upon the concept of “languages build”:
- What are the building blocks of learning a language?
- How do you assemble these blocks?
- What can these blocks create?
Step 2: Brainstorm
Brainstorm situations where it would be essential to speak the language your students are learning. Here is a list to get you started. Can you add to it?
- Introducing yourself
- Talking about yourself and your family
- Travelling across Canada or outside of the country
- Ordering in a restaurant
- Staying at a hotel
- Finding attractions or entertainment
- Asking for help
If you could have a conversation with someone you admire who speaks this language, who would it be and why? Create clues to help classmates guess their identity.