Presentation given at EF AP Shanghai's Teacher Seminar

1. Teaching Literature Through Tasks
- Dan Thompson

2. What is CLIL?
CLIL = ?
Content and Language Integrated
Learning
2 main forms
CLIL = mainly focused on content
CLIL = mainly focused on language

3. CLIL
Best for students with:
Strong enough English to discuss content
Lack of familiarity with content
Example:
Culture courses for English majors

4. CLIL
Best for students with:
Weaker English
Familiarity with content
Example:
Academic writing for PhD students

5. British Literature History
Students:
English major undergraduates
Best approach?
CLIL
Course focus:
Themes of British history:
Empire, group identity, the evolution of English as a
language
How literature reflects and shapes these
themes

6. Pedagogy
Task-based learning
Allows for richer learning through varied input
Engages the students in authentic tasks
Information transmitted through tasks rather
than lectures
Typically 1 history-focused task & 1 literature-
focused
Assessed student presentations every week
Students research aspects not mentioned in class

7. Shakespeare

8. Questions
What era did Shakespeare live in?
a) Edwardian
b) Victorian
c) Lithuanian
d) Elizabethan
Where was he born?
a) London
b) Stratford Upon Avon
c) Oxford
d) Manchester
What was his wife called?
a) Anne Hathaway
b) Anne Boleyn
c) Catlyn Stark
d) Anne Brown
How many Children did he have?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 0

9. Shakespeare’s Early Life
Born in 1564 in Stratford Upon Avon during the
reign of Queen Elizabeth I (The Elizabethan Era)
Married in 1582 to Anne Hathaway
He was 18, she was 26
Had 3 children
• Susanna, born 6 months after he married Anne
• Twins, Hamnet and Judith
By 1592, moved to London to be an actor and
playwright

10. Guess the Genre
Shakespeare’s plays can be divided into FOUR main genres
Each group will have 1 genre and 4 plays. Choose the play that fits the
genre you have been given
Study the play description and make connections between the genre
and the play
Prepare a short presentation to the class about your genre and the
play that fits that genre

11. Shakespeare’s Career
In 1595 Shakespeare wrote “Romeo & Juliet”
Romeo & Juliet is one of Shakespeare’s many Tragedies
I prithee, present mine tragedy well! Else I shalt make a
tragedy of you!

12. Shakespeare’s Career
In 1596 Shakespeare wrote “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of Shakespeare’s many
Comedies
‘Tis time to present mine comedy to thine classmates!

13. A Midsummer Night’s Dream
One of the things that makes the play so funny is the insults!
Shakespeare was a master at making creative, funny insults!
Now it’s your turn!
Mix the order of the words – how insulting can you make it sound?
Can you rant at your partner using all of the words you have and by adding some of your own?
What do you think they mean?

14. Shakespeare’s Career
In 1599 Shakespeare wrote “Henry V”
Henry V is one of
Shakespeare’s many Historical
plays
Behold! ‘tis time to present unto the class mine history play!

15. Shakespeare’s Career
In 1612 Shakespeare wrote “The Tempest”
The Tempest is one of Shakespeare’s many Tragicomedies
For this, the final act, thine company doth have yet a little time to
present mine tragicomedy unto thine companions!

16. Shakespeare’s Final Days
In 1616, on his 52nd birthday, William Shakespeare
died in his hometown of Stratford Upon Avon.
As long as students read his words,
As long as actors perform his works,
As long as audiences enjoy watching his plays
Then his memory will live on…
“But thy eternal summer shall not fade…
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.”
-Sonnet 18
In your groups write a paragraph of 4 sentences describing each of Shakespeare’s genres
clearly so someone who wasn’t in this class could understand it.

17. Teaching Literature Through Tasks
- Dan Thompson
Thank you for your time!