Humanising Language Teaching
Year 5; Issue 6; November 03

Chaz 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:

1. Ask all A's to focus on whatever feelings, images, stories the music evokes, jot a few things down and then dictate them to B's.
2. Play the music. B's write everything down verbatim, without interfering with A's message, or correcting mistakes, etc.
3. Invite B's to tell the class about A's reactions to the music.
4. Now ask the students to switch roles: now it is B's turn to listen to the music and dictate their feelings etc to A's.
5. Invite all A's to tell the class about B's reactions to the music.
6. Next, get the pairs to share the emotions, stories conjured up by the music. Make sure the students have enough time to interact.
7. Tell the students to listen to the (same) piece of music again: this time A's try to hear the music from B's point of view, continue from where B's left off, and viceversa.
8. Finally ask the students to compare what they've written and exchange impressions. How did it feel to be the other?
9. Finish off by leading a discussion on perceptions.

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.