Interactive techniques of teaching english in secondary schools. Table of Contents Introduction

2.2 Project Work Activities for the Intermediate Level
Magnet, Island or Bridge

1. If you have a magnet, show it to the class and check if they know what it is called. Otherwise, you may need to explain it in the next step. On the board draw three columns, heading them respectively ‘magnet’, ‘island’ and ‘bridge’. Divide your class into pairs and ask them to draw up a list of characteristics in the columns on the board.

2. Ask your students to think for a moment about the way they act in various social contexts, for example at parties, with colleagues, in the family – more like a magnet, an island or a bridge. Divide the class into groups to discuss the problem briefly.

3. Ask them, still in groups, to discuss which attitude – the magnet, the island or the bridge – is most conductive to a good working environment in class and what that implies in term of actual behaviour.

4. Discuss as a class the findings of the groups. They should feel that being a bridge is the most conductive and that it implies a spirit of co-operation, participating, helping others. At the same time a magnet may on occasions act as a catalyst to encourage shyer members of the class when/how a magnet might be a positive element in a class and when/how a negative one.

5. Extend the discussion to how bridges can be formed out of class. Draw up a list on the board.

6. Give your students a few minutes to discuss with those sitting near them which of these ideas they feel are most appropriate to them and how they intend to implement them. It is better in this phase to let pairs/groups form spontaneously than to impose them. Ask a few members of the class what conclusion they came to.