You and the world: Unidades didáticas para o ensino de inglês

Abstract

People study English for many reasons nowadays. Some of them study because they have to and others do because they like it and they want to. In all the years Ive been teaching English, the only problem that always stroke me was the use of artificial materials. They are made specifically for teaching purposes but lack all the real English students really need in order to communicate in the real world. In order to fill this gap on language teaching, teachers are now encouraged to work with real, authentic materials that were not made for teaching purposes. They are videos, newsletters, blog entries, podcasts, and many other that are produced by native speakers of English with the only and main purpose of showing the world something. Bearing this in mind, You and The World is an attempt to bring all these authentic materials to students, so they can have a more realistic practice of the language as well as the practice of the four skills needed: Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. It consists in the development of two independent units that were designed and divided so students can interact in English throughout real life simulations. Both units were developed to be as Inductive as possible, giving Students power over what they are learning, putting the teacher as guide. It brings relevant topics that will increase not only the knowledge of language, but also critical thinking.