Dream Sequence
1. Divide students into groups A and B.
2. Group A watch “Soup” whilst group B just listen.
3. Each student writes as much as they can remember about what they saw or heard in ninety seconds (or so).
4. Group B watch “Casserole” whilst group A just listen.
5. Each student writes as much as they can remember about what they saw or heard in ninety seconds (or so).
6. A students compare notes, B students compare notes.
7. A pairs up with B to describe what they saw to one another.
8. Watch both videos once more together, check notes.
I’ve been working on “dreams” with one of my oral communication classes, and I wanted to do something a little different. They students had a great time, but I felt a little dissatisfied. I think it highlights both my strengths and weaknesses as a teacher – I’m quite good at sourcing or creating quirky and interesting materials, but not so good at exploiting them to the fullest. Based on this rough outline of what we did, and bearing in mind that this was for a speaking class (they take writing classes with another teacher), how else might you have directed the language use, taught particular skills or vocabulary, or incorporated more “teaching” into the lesson? or is it fine to keep it loose and see what comes up?
