English and creativity.

When we think of English (as a Foreign Language) classrooms, we normally think of students doing the activities in their workbooks endlessly. Most of us have been through that and we know how dull and tedious an English lesson at school can become.

That's why, as future teachers, we must prepare activities and routines that break with those old stereotypes. For example, stimulating their creativity is always a good thing. Using what has been previously learnt on the lesson (like vocabulary, tenses, etc...), pupils can write a drama play and represent it in front of their mates. Also they can write a tale or draw a comic.

And it is drawing what we are focusing on. A resourceful activity that can be used many times is the so-called "Describe and Draw". In this activity, we can put our students in pairs or in little groups. One of them, thinks of one thing. For example, if we are studying animals, he can think of an animal or even make up their own one. Then, this first student describes the creature to their mates, who will draw it following the instructions.

The results can be very curious and hilarious, and what's more important: this activity makes our pupils use vocabulary, both specific for drawing (draw a line, put a circle, make two lines...) and the one studied. At the same time, they have a lot of fun comparing the results, breaking with the monotony that sometimes our classes might have. Stimulating their creativity is important, and if we can relate that to our subject, which is teaching English, even better!

This is just one of the many examples there are. Hope you found it interesting. We will keep posting.