Do you really know BBC?

 Do You Really Know BBC?

The best way to learn English effectively is to improve learners' AUTONOMY. 

'Autonomy' can be seen as one of the intrinsic motivations. As a teacher, do not worry too much about how external forces affect students' internal motivation for learning. You can design stimulating classroom activities and recommend effective learning websites or materials to your learners. But remember, SCAFFOLD them in some ways. 

Students have many opportunities to learn at home. There are many helpful sites on the internet, but the problem is finding them. Now, BBC Learning English as one of the popular tools is recommended for them. But the same problem is that there is too much information and categories on the site! As teachers, how can we help students use this website?

✨    ✨    ✨    ✨    ✨    Learn more about BBC Learning English   ✨    ✨    ✨     ✨     ✨ 

 👉  Introduction To BBC Learning English APP

1. Find the APP in your APP Store, and then download it;

2. Register or Sign in (free to use);

3. Customized service (for Teachers or for Children);

4. Multifunction selection (grammar; vocabularies; pronunciation; courses; news; business); 

5. You can search for topics that interest you!

 👉   Fast Track to BBC Website

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/

Students have free access to these learning materials. However, there are too many materials and functions! Students need to spend a lot of time exploring how to use them effectively. This will also IMPAIR their learning autonomy  to some extent. 

Also, this site covers materials for language learners of all levels, as well as categories for spoken English, grammar and pronunciation. In fact, I don't think students in most parts of China will be able to use the site properly unless they are used to teach in English or the teachers have developed their habit of learning the material on their own. Because it provides too much material and varies in difficulty!

Based on that, I think about some interesting activities that might help the teacher to guide students to use BBC Learning English. I hope it will help your students' English learning and improve their learning autonomy. 

 👉   Activity Design

1. Click on "For Children", then "Stories for Children"

If you are a primary school English teacher, I am sure you will enjoy this kind of material! After all, primary schools in China offer limited learning materials. How to improve the interest of English beginners is a very troublesome thing. Click on the above link, and you'll find lots of short stories. Each story lasts about six minutes, including animation and transcript. And these stories are all about topics of daily life, such as Camping, School trips and Shopping. The animation design is also fascinating.

Teachers can empower students to choose their own story, and group into a team according to the story's needs. Then let them study independently and act it out in class. Such activities can be planned over half a semester or a study period. The teacher can decide whether to arrange word study or grammar study based on your teaching plan and the student's language level.

If your students are higher level, "Shakespeare Speaks" or "Father and Son, the New Crime Drama" is a good substitution!

2. Click on "Features", then "British Chat"

I think you already have known, that in China, a class lasts 45 minutes and usually 6 or 7 classes a day. Students may feel very tired! English learning is also typically textbook-based and more traditional. So what are some ways to get students to participate in your English class in an energetic, positive and happy manner?

You might consider organizing an activity named “English Talk Corner” before your teaching. This activity may only take 5-10 minutes. Students need to select a topic they are interested in in the BBC's "British Chat" section in advance, watch the video and prepare the conversation themselves. During the activity, students are allowed to walk around the classroom and share their thoughts on a topic of their choice with any fellow student.

Firstly, I'd like to say that “English Talk Corner” provides a lot of interesting topics. The great thing is that these help students understand the British mind and learn British pronunciation! Click through to a video, and you'll also find other videos on the topic at the bottom of the video (topic extension).

This activity helps students eliminate the fatigue left by the last class. Talking with different people is a good way to "use English", and exchanging ideas is also a method to expand their minds and develop their critical thinking. In addition, teachers can also get involved and give some help. For example, some students are not very involved because they are shy. However, the implementation of this activity still depends on students' independent learning ability and interest.

The above two activities are just my personal design based on this website. I believe you can explore more with your teaching experience and ability! In order to improve students' English level, language learning motivation and autonomy are essential. Trust me, BBC Learning English is your right-hand man!

💟 💟 💟 Hope it helps～