Tourism
and English
a powerful combination
Students are set to benefit from joint initiatives
by tourist attractions and English language schools in the UK. Oksana
Higglesden explains….
Ask any student what makes a successful English language course
and they will undoubtedly respond "excellent teaching and a
dynamic social programme". Students are far more likely to
remember the fantastic times they have had outside the classroom
and, in response, schools are forging closer links with tourist
attractions to ensure that they have a memorable stay.
The quality and variety of Britain’s attractions - ranging
from hi-tech amusement to traditional entertainment and historic
sites is hard to match. Schools are aware of the opportunities that
social activities present for language learning while tourist attractions,
in turn, increasingly recognise the significant contribution that
this niche market segment offers and produce specially tailored
education packs and tours. Their presence at the ARELS Social Organisers’
Conference earlier this year confirms their growing interest in
the whole learning experience for student visitors to the UK.
What really puts English Language Teaching at the cutting edge
is the continual quest for devising innovative and effective ways
of teaching different types of learners with diverse needs. This
is essential. Nowadays students expect far more from classroom teaching
than grammar recital. They want to learn but at the same time they
don’t want it to be a chore. Schools know that learning continues
outside the classroom. Students are more likely to pick up new vocabulary
and phraseology through different activities and situations and
this is more likely to be retained in a relaxed and stimulating
environment.
With this in mind, more school in Britain are opting for integrating
social activities into the classroom curriculum. Visits are generally
supported by extensive worksheets and projects with a strong language
content. Assigning students a specific topic on which to report
after their visit has some educational benefit and will give them
a different perspective of British culture. Worksheets also provide
the teacher with a basis for language work in the classroom. This
material can be used for one or two lessons before the trip followed
by a brief feedback session the following day.
Worksheets are given to students on the day before an excursion
so that they have the greatest impact. Sometimes they include copy
in basic English on the destination to be visited and its history
followed by true/false questions and world searches; an itinerary
so that students know exactly where they are going and when, and
a task for them to carry out whilst on the trip. For students at
a higher proficiency level, worksheets might include in-depth reading
texts or a questionnaire related to the excursion.
Many tourist attractions are able to offer a range of structured
tailor-made services. One of the most proactive, the Royal Palaces,
provide special briefing papers, activity sheets and organise guided
tours and slide presentations on various aspects such as tapestry
conservation. Tudor etiquette or King Henry VIII. Students are given
a unique cultural experience which gives them a greater empathy
with the past and is structured in such a way that they do not wander
aimlessly.
The Royal Palaces are able to help social organisers structure
a visit and advise on what can be done on site, how this can be
effective, how to prepare students in advance and how to follow
up the visit afterwards. On arrival, students are usually divided
into groups and asked to report on set aspects of their visit such
as design or renaissance paintings and where possible given dictaphones
on site to record their impressions in English. This exercise is
often followed by group discussions on what students liked or disliked
about various aspects of their visit.
As well as integrating excursions into classroom teaching, schools
are turning their attention to the local community for additional
sources of teaching material. Local people from all walks of life
are invited to talk to students about their jobs, their hobbies
and their own experiences. This encourages communication and gives
students a lot of listening practice.
Integrating excursions and contact with the community into the
classroom curriculum has numerous advantages for all those concerned.
This approach provides teachers with a plethora of teaching material
and gives them more flexibility to prepare classes. Students also
benefit. They are more likely to retain information if they are
taught in a fun and relaxed environment. Their listening and communication
skills will also improve as they come into contact with many types
of people.
Author: Oksana Higglesden, Public Relations Officer, Association
of Recognised English Language Services, Valentine Place, London
SE1 8QF U.K.
This article first appeared in Educational Courses in Britain
