Contextualization

Learning a new language, such as English, involves more than just learning grammar and pronunciation. It also involves understanding vocabulary and how to use words correctly in context. Among the first vocabulary topics we learn are food, objects, and parts of the house. This project aims to create an environment conducive to vocabulary learning and practice, using these themes as its basis.

Using the correct vocabulary is essential for effective communication. For example, knowing the names of food in English is not only helpful when in a restaurant in an English-speaking country, but also in broader contexts, such as when watching a cooking show or reading a recipe book in English. Similarly, knowing the parts and objects of the house in English is equally crucial. It is not only helpful in situations such as renting an Airbnb abroad, but also when watching movies, series, and home improvement shows, for instance.

This project is important because learning a new language should be grounded on reality and on everyday situations. In addition, in today’s globalized world, knowledge of English is a highly desired and valued skill in the job market. Through this project, we expect students to improve their vocabulary skills in a fun and engaging way.

Here are some resources that can be helpful to start your studies:

1. BBC Languages - A great resource to learn English with a variety of learning materials.
2. Cambridge Dictionary - An online English dictionary with pronunciation, definitions, and example sentences.
3. British Council - Offers a variety of interactive activities for learning English.
4. Duolingo - A well-known language learning app that has a variety of interactive exercises to practice vocabulary.

Activity: "English in the House and Kitchen"

Project Goal

This project aims to familiarize students with basic English vocabulary related to food, objects, and parts of the house, and to encourage them to use this vocabulary appropriately and in context.

Project Description

Students will be divided into groups of three to five people. Each group will be responsible for creating an "English Tour" of a house and kitchen, using the relevant vocabulary. This tour will be presented in the form of a video, where the students will have to film themselves presenting different parts of the house and kitchen, and the objects and food found there, all in English. Additionally, they will have to prepare a simple recipe for a dish, narrating the whole process in English.

Required Materials

1. A house or kitchen to film the tour
2. A camera or smartphone with video recording capability
3. Food and kitchen utensils for the recipe demonstration
4. Computer for video editing (optional)
5. Video editing software (optional)

Step-by-Step

1. Planning and Research

The students, in their groups, will make a list of all the parts of the house, furniture, kitchen utensils, and food that will be used in the video. They should research the corresponding English words for each item listed. Additionally, they should choose a recipe to prepare during the video.

2. Script

After the research is done, the students should create a script for their video. This script should include the overall structure of the video, the items that will be presented and how they will be presented, and the step-by-step instructions for the recipe that will be prepared.

3. Recording the Video

The students should follow the script to record their video. They should make sure that each component of the house and kitchen is presented clearly and that the preparation of the recipe is explained step-by-step in English.

4. Editing the Video (optional)

The students may choose to edit their video to ensure a smooth flow and the inclusion of all necessary elements.

5. Writing the Report

Finally, the students will write a formal report detailing the process of creating the video, the challenges encountered and how they were overcome, and the learning outcomes of the project.

Deliverables

1. English Tour Video: This video should be a minimum of 10 minutes long, with a maximum length of 20 minutes. The video should include a tour of the rooms of the house and the kitchen, with correct identification of the objects and food, and the preparation of a recipe in English.

2. Written Report: This report should follow the standard structure of an academic report:

   • Introduction: Here, the students will contextualize the project, explaining the choice of theme and its purpose, discussing the relevance of vocabulary learning in a foreign language, and the practical applications of such knowledge in the real world.

   • Development: In this section, the students will provide details on the planning and execution process of the project. They will explain the methodology used to research and learn new vocabulary, discuss the process of creating the video script, filming, and editing (if applicable). They will also discuss any challenges encountered and how they overcame those challenges.

   • Conclusion: The conclusion should recap the main points mentioned in the report, reflect on the students’ learning experiences, and discuss the skills and knowledge acquired upon completion of this project.

   • References: Finally, the students should list all the sources of information used during the research.