Integrating English and the Primary Curriculum

Handout

English and the Primary Curriculum - by Gladys Baya (2007)

Questions for discussion

Click on the links to listen to answers by different project participants. Post a written comment in the box that will open at the bottom of the screen, or look for the link to "Record a comment" on the right hand side. 

1. Why make links between English teaching and the primary curriculum?

    Listen to Romina and Gisela's answer by clicking here.

2. What kinds of learning take place in the primary curriculum?

    Listen to Mariana F's answer by clicking here.

3.  How can ELT draw upon the primary curriculum?

    Listen to Jonathan and Laura C.'s answer by clicking here.

4. How can topics, stories and investigations be used to integrate ELT and the primary curriculum?

Listen to Paula's answer by clicking here.

Resources

• Brewster, Jean, Elli, Gail and Girard, Denis; The Primary English Teacher’s Guide; chapter 4.
• Minist. de Cult. y Educ. de la Nación, Cons. Fed. de Cult. y Educ.; Diseño Curricular; 2001
• MAGAZINES:  “The teacher’s magazine”; selection of proposals for the integration of ELT and the primary curriculum

Applying the theory

Click on the links to see different contributors' answers.

GROUP A

1. In your book, two types of language teacher are described. To what extent do you identify with each? Is this good for you? The writers also emphasise the contributions of two subjects you have studied. Are you familiar with the ideas they mention?
2. Look at “Learning in the primary curriculum” (p. 38 in your book). Select two items from this list and think of a concrete way in which you could easily do this in an EFL lesson at primary school.
3. Select two projects suggested in any issue of “The teacher’s magazine”. Which curriculum areas (see p. 41 in your book) are integrated? Think of one other area that could be integrated into one of those plans and explain how you would do this.
4. Look at “Topics” (p. 42 in your book). Can you think of two other topics which could be appealing to children at EGB1? And two topics for children at EGB2? Start a “topic web” for one of them!!!

GROUP B

1. Look at the ideas favouring integration of ELT into the primary curriculum mentioned in the book. Are they similar to the ones Buenos Aires curriculum design includes?
2. Look at the different approaches to learning and to language learning mentioned. Which of these ideas have been defended in this course so far? Account for your answer.
3. Look at “A supportive learning environment for primary ELT” (p. 41 in your book). Select two items from this list and think of how they were achieved in a lesson you have observed, or taken part in as a learner.
4. Look at “Investigations” (p. 43 in your book). Which could be carried out at EGB1? And at EGB2? Identify two activities using any of these ideas within projects suggested in any issue of “The teacher’s magazine”.

Contributors to this page

Add your name (in alphabetical order) to the list below, and the year in which you contributed in brackets

[Last name, First name (year)].

Baya, Gladys (2007);Bromberg, Jonathan (2007);Corrillo, Laura (2007);Fernández, Mariana (2007);Franco, Romina (2007);Petrini, Gisela (2007);Scucchiero, Paula (2007).