|
Humanising Language Teaching "Do you hear what I hear" or Music DictationChaz Pugliese
Level : Intermediate and upwards Choose a piece of instrumental music that's particularly soothing (I have often used Keith Jarrett's Köln concert) Pair the students off and provide the following instructions:
Rationale: I found this dictation exercise particularly useful in the forming stage of a group, when everyone is cautious, and risk-taking is generally avoided for fear of social consequences. Inviting the students to take in a piece of music from a partner's point of view is a terrrific way of (temporarily) accessing a peer's world, and is likely to promote empathy. The exercise can also be used when the group has hit some more or less serious bumps, when conflicts arise, and a more harmonious atmosphere is badly needed. Acknowledgements: Dictation by Davis – Rinvolucri (OUP) is a great little gem of a book with a lot of interesting exercises. |