Unit 3: Learning and Memory

Activity 7.0 Language Learning Example for Social Cohesion

This activity will help you prepare your next language learning activity with your learners.

Step A

In order to give you some ideas for the next language learning activity with the people in your care, listen to the experiences of Rosi, Learning Development Officer at Lingo Flamingo, and see which props and materials she has used to help people engage with herself and other learners through another language.

To prepare for your own application, focus on the following in the recording and take notes:

• The optimal learning environment for this activity 
• The resources/materials you want to use for the activity
• The vocabulary items you want to use
• The cultural information you want to convey

Please listen to each of these audios with Rosi, Learning Development Officer at Lingo Flamingo:

1. Overcoming Anxiety
2. Setting the Scene
3. A Practical Example

Next, look at Props and Materials Rosi uses to engage with learners.

Step B

Now listen to another short recording by Sylvia Warnecke, a Language Lecturer at the Open University, who has undertaken research on language learning anxiety and approaches to supporting different learning styles.

The audio recording focuses on why languages sessions can cater for different levels of engagement and ability and what aspects of communication support this. When listening, take some notes on this in your learning log.

Click here to listen to the recording by Sylvia Warnecke.

To follow up on what Sylvia talked about in the recording, you could find out more on non-verbal communication through touch, silences, sitting positions, gender and more in the VIRTUALSPEECH article by Sophie Thompson ‘Cultural Differences in Body Language to be Aware of’ (8 September 2022) and lingoda’s article  '18 common gestures around the world’ (Andrea Byaruhanga., 15 October 2024).