Important facts to take into account when teaching english by using Science in context

Teaching ideas......

We found that teaching in context is really fun and also involves great team work, creativity, research and responsibility, so we consider that any content can be used for constructivist classes that will really capture students interest and will make them really learn...

Teachers should be very carefull when engaging a class with this type of activity, HE/She should be ware of the fact that great assistance and support will be demanded by students...

Teachers must be sure that he/ she counts on enough time to do the activities, since there is a lot of group work and reserach to do, if students are not given just enough time they will be under too much pressure and may loose interest...

We found that more and more, students get interested in Science...you should try to include this subject from time to time in your English Classes...!


Some useful links when teaching English in a Science Class...

Here you will find some links that we found interesting to see while teaching English by using Science content...we found very good tips there...1.

For teachers:

www.resources-teachers.com
www.honolulu.com
www.eslflow.com
www.nelliemuler.com
http://www.esltower.com/

Also, our students asked how to structure their information in correct English, we provided them with the following links that were very useful:

Grammar:

http://www.smic.be
http://www.eslpartyland.com
http://www.nclrc.org/
http://www.ego4u.com
http://joaojardim.no
http://www.english-4u.de/

Also for our High School Students, we presented videos that complemented the idea of a healthy way of living, by eating healthy food, having an active life by practicing any sport, and by using herbs to prevent illness instead of chemical drugs...This is a very touching video on a person who suffers of cancer and how he was treated...

5 minutesActivity (or activities): gather in peers and share with your partner what you know about cancer.(Teacher will write the questions on the board)Does someone that you know have suffered this illness?What treatments do you know help to cure cancer?Do you know nontraditional treatments to cure cancer?

While-viewing:Time: 15 minutesActivity (or activities): Students will watch the video twice, after that they will answer a true and false. (See the worksheet at the end of the lesson plan)

3Post-viewing:Time: 30 minActivity (or activities): Now we are going to divide the group in two, and have a Debate. One part of the group is going to play the role of Daniel’s parents and defend their position. Why do you think natural medicine will help your son better than Chemotherapy, prove it.The other half of the group is going to defend what the government and doctors think. Why Chemotherapy should be use to help Daniel to get better.For this activity you will have 10 minutes to make a research or discuss with your classmates your point of view. Remember to apply your previous knowledge.

Webquest on alternative medicine

Hello there!

My friend Paola and I have created a very interesting WEbQueST that has been designed for teachers of English who want to explore teaching in context techniques, and who are also interested in Science and/or are teaching in a Scientific or Vocational school, where English is studied as a foreign langauage.

We designed this Webquest on Alternative Medicine. You will find the general description of the project below...We hope it is useful...and enjoyable!!!
Ww tried this activity in a real Senior class of Science...the results were amazing, students really engaged into the activity..

Introduction

With the path of years the Halopatic medicine has saved many lives, nevertheless, drugs have a lot of secondary effects and many times do a lot of harm to your body. More and more, people are discovering the power of healthy-natural life styles for enjoying of good health.We have studied the different drugs that medicines are composed of.You are part of a multidisciplinary –scientific team in search of alternatives that are not harmful to the body and that can be used without provoking side effects.Depending on your specialty which would be the best alternative to cure any illness that you are familiar with, either because of a friend or a relative who has suffered it.

The TaskIn this WebQuest you will take the role of a scientist in search of an alternative cure for one disease that you choose with your group. You must research the allopathic treatment options and how they work as well as how the specific treated system of the body that the illness affects works. After that, you and the members of your group will analyze and decide the alternative you think is the best one and prove why.Compile your information and create a power point presentation to share with your classmates on the assigned day. Be ready for a 20-minute presentation..!