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Engaging Festive Learning: Gamification Strategies for Christmas in ELT

This interactive session explores how gamification can enrich English language learning during the festive season. From digital games to hands-on activities, participants will discover strategies to foster engagement and language skills through Christmas-themed games. Through practical examples, attendees will design activities that promote collaboration, language production, and cultural exchange. By the end of the session, everyone will leave with practical ideas and a toolkit for incorporating festive gamification into classrooms.

Materials: click ‘continue reading’ for handout and presentation file

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From Sterile Drills to Vocabulary Thrills: A Laughable Lexicon Adventure

Image by Freepik

Picture this: a bright, buzzing classroom filled with eager eyes, crayons littering the tables like confetti, and one lone teacher armed with a flashcard pack and a prayer. Welcome to the world of teaching vocabulary to young learners – a chaotic yet rewarding educational experience for all parties involved. Now, buckle up as we take a laugh-filled tour through this quirky adventure, complete with treasure hunts, tongue-tied moments, and unexpected twists and turns.

“Class, today we’re going on a treasure hunt!” I announce with dramatic flair.

Instantly, their eyes light up, and the chatter intensifies. I scatter colorful vocabulary cards around the classroom while explaining that each card they find will hold a magic word to be decoded. Chaos reigns supreme. Some students sprint, while others crawl beneath desks as if seeking hidden fortunes.

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Uncovering Hidden Meaning in our Teaching Materials

I had the privilege of speaking on TESOL Pop about Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and how it can help educators identify hidden meanings, assumptions, and power dynamics within their teaching materials so we can make changes that foster a more inclusive and supportive environment.

Key talking points

Understanding Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA)
CDA is an approach that examines how language and imagery in teaching materials can shape social realities, reinforce stereotypes, and influence ideologies. Katherine emphasises the importance of ensuring materials reflect diverse voices, backgrounds, and experiences.

Gender and Stereotypes in Textbooks
Katherine shares examples of how textbooks can reinforce outdated gender roles, such as referring to professionals as “policemen” or “firemen” instead of using gender-neutral terms. She discusses how such representations can limit students’ perceptions of their future potential.

Adapting Materials for Inclusivity
Katherine stresses that no single textbook can fully meet the needs of all learners. Teachers should adapt materials to reflect different cultures, abilities, and perspectives. She encourages educators to use inclusive visuals, update resources, and incorporate diverse voices.

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