"Project Work in the Educational Process"
материал по английскому языку по теме

Inna Nikolaevna Tereshchenko,

Vice-Principal, the teacher of English of high qualification category

Project Work in the Educational Process

How to expand learners' understanding of the world; motivate them to learn more about other cultures, develop a positive attitude towards other people and their cultures? What can help raise learners' awareness of other cultures, develop understanding of their own culture, and identify similarities and differences between Russian culture and international cultures?

It goes without saying that it is work on a variety projects which take students and teachers outside the boundaries of classrooms. Project work is not a new methodology. Its benefits have been widely recognized for many years.

One of the great benefits of project work is its adaptability. It can be used at every level from absolute beginner to the advanced learner.  Project work allows students to consolidate the language that they have learnt and encourages them to acquire new vocabulary and expressions. In addition, it gives learners integrated skills practice. Throughout project work students have extensive practice of the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Using projects with classes provides excellent opportunities for cross- curricular work. The more students are engaged in to a project, the more likely that the project will be a success. Project work is becoming an increasingly popular feature within the ELT classroom. Common projects are class magazines, group wall displays about students' countries and designs for cities of the future.

The meaning of the project work can be best characterized by the following Chinese proverb: “Tell me, and I’ll forget. Show me, and I’ll remember. Involve me, and I’ll learn.”

Project work is also used to increase motivation and retention, to help students develop a positive image, to develop critical thinking and problem - solving, it develops fluency in the use of language features that they have learned.

Some advantages of project work are:

• Increased motivation - learners become personally involved in the project.

• All four skills, reading, writing, listening and speaking are integrated.

• Autonomous learning is promoted as learners become more responsible for their own learning.

• There are learning outcomes - earners have an end product.

• Authentic tasks and therefore the language input are more authentic.

• Interpersonal relations are developed through working as a group.

• Content and methodology can be decided between the learners and the teacher and within the group themselves so it is more learners centered.

• Learners often get help from parents for project work thus involving the parent more in the child's learning. If the project is also displayed parents can see it at open days or when they pick the child up from the school.

• A break from routine and the chance to do something different.

• A context is established which balances the need for fluency and accuracy.

The international projects are of great value. Perkins K-8 School in San Diego, the USA and Novocherkassk school #1 have established a wonderful relationship and are involved into its tenth year in the framework of the long-lasting project “Partners in Education”.  This project is a strong example of how mutual efforts can enrich opportunities of students’ cultural understanding and social awareness, overcoming the stereotypes, becoming successful citizens of the global community. “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success”. (Henry Ford)

 “Our students have been corresponding continuously, our teachers have been sharing information about their respectful regions, and we have a continuous exchange of teaching materials and textbooks.  We continue to foster exchanges with one another on methods on educating our youth to be independent critical thinkers  who will be leaders of tomorrow, who have connections with peers from  their sister school, for the ultimate purpose of understanding their cultures and learning about themselves”  (Principal of Perkins K-8 School Fernando J Hernandez).

And some tips for successfully implementing collaborative projects

1. Keep it simple: Start with an easy electronic mail project in which students or your class can exchange small amounts of information.
2. Once you join, stay involved: Since these projects are collaborative, it is important that you and your class stay committed to the completion of the project. Follow through on your promise to submit information or data.
3. Be flexible: You will always experience new challenges every time you use the Internet due to its constant evolving changes. Be flexible and keep an open mind.
4. Ask for help: Don't be afraid to ask for help if you are experiencing difficulties using the Internet or are confused about what is expected of you once you begin a project. Contact the project administrator or get a more experienced teacher or parent volunteer.

If the projects are creative ones, you shouldn’t forget about the four stages of the creative process:

1. Preparation
   Research: Collect information or data.
2. Incubation
   Percolation: Milling over collected information.
3. Illumination
   Light Bulb Idea: Aha moment.
4. Implementation
   Actual Making, creating: Verification.

Enjoy your project work!

References

“Projects for the EFL Classroom”, resource material for teachers, HAINES, Simon, Walton-on-Thames, Nelson, 1989.
“Project work with teenagers”, Lynn Gallacher, British Council, Spain

“The Four Steps of Creativity”, Chris Dunmire, 2004