English Clubs
Starting an English Club seems like an easy thing. However, talking to many volunteers it seems like while yes, we do speak English, that doesn’t necessarily mean we have the tools to organize and run a successful English club here. Below is a list of just a few ideas of things to do with an English club in Burkina.
Sing: Children here love to learn English songs… even simple ones. From personal experience, if you have ANY musical abilities use them! The students love singing and learning English songs that you knew when you were a child. Just don’t be afraid to act foolish or feel silly.
Music: Play some of your favorite American music. Chances are your students will be familiar with some American artists already: Rihanna, Lady GaGa, Justin Bieber, etc. If you have some of these songs, play them for the students and then afterwards ask them to translate the lyrics into French. Chances are they know the words to many songs but have no idea what they mean. This also a good way to discuss gender equality and healthy relationships based on some of the songs they know.
Dramas: Put on small plays or dramas. Even if you don’t actually have a performance, have the students take turns reading the different parts.
Reader’s Theatre Play Scripts and Activities
Dramatix Christian Play Scripts
Read: Reading aloud helps greatly with pronunciation. Find some short stories or paragraphs, or better yet a children’s book with pictures to motivate your students. If you go home to the US on vacation, pick up some easy chapter books and/or picture books at your local thrift store.
Writing: You don’t want to make your English Club into a class-type setting or the children won’t come back. However, a day doesn’t go by without a student asking for a correspondent. So why not get them to practice their English writing and write letters to your World Wise Schools partnership school?
Games: Trick them into learning English by doing fun activities.
Movies: If you are lucky enough to have access to a computer, DVD player and TV, or a projector with a laptop hook-up, why not show some American films? There are many DVDs in the transit house with French subtitles.
Even if you just have a few students who are studying for the BEPC, or if you decide to tackle to entire 3eme class of close to 100 students, hopefully these resources will motivate you to work on your students' English skills.
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Some other Resources:
How to Start an English Club
Warm Up Activities for English Clubs
Vocabulary Differences between British and American English
Worksheets and Printouts
