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English Partner
I propose that we develop some audio resources produced by our pupils. I would like to work with my year 8 class, with the aim of them producing digital recordings in English and German, talking about their own food, drink and holidays. This could incorporate more detail in their English version. Ideally the German partner class would create a similar bank of resources for pupils in Germany to listen to. The German pupils could produce similar resources of their own - in English and then more detailed in German.
One reason for this would be to give the pupils a real audience to speak to, to increase their motivation about speaking and accuracy.
German Partner
Motivation is very important and as you suggested it would give us the chance to produce useful and very individual material.Also we could exchange our own products or ideas by using this platform.The topics you mentioned go very well with our new curriculum - such as meeting people, communicate in various situations is necessary to enable them to speak more fluently and to encourage our students. So my idea is to work on this project with my 9 formers.

English Partner
I have now taught a few lessons on the topic of food and drink and the pupils have practised saying what they ate and drank yesterday and are able to give opinions. I aim to start recording tomorrow and then we will attempt to upload the recording. We have experienced a number of technical problems already!
German partner :Do we meet in Munich on 13th? Then we can exchange our ideas.We are going to record the dialogues after the Easter holidays.
English Partner:
Hello Marianne, sorry you weren't able to make the workshop. I hope you are feeling better now. I thought I would outline the series of lessons I have taught so far on food and drink, and what my ideas for the next phase of the project are.
1. I intend to finish the recordings of the group on food and drink in the next 8 days. I will upload them as they are completed.
2. I will add some written resources of what we have done in our lessons.
3. I would like my pupils to record themselves talking about pocket money and what they spend it on, how much they get.
4. The students will then complete questionnaires in English to send to your pupils if you are willing - could you do simple German questions for them to do the same? These would need to be about the same topics.
5. My students will produce a final piece of writing on their own (no reference materials) and upload this.
Please could you let me know what you think and what you would be able to do with your pupils.
When you are doing the sound clips, the best way is to record these as MP3 files as these are the smallest sound files. I have had problems with uploading WAVE files because they are too big for the British Council web page.
german Partner: Hallo, Ruth, you were very busy and thanks for your material. Unfortunately I could not open the clip, I ´ve already asked our IT teacher for help. The next problem will be- how to produce and send similar things- so I have to try and learn. Maybe you are interested in cassettes. That would be easier.Next week we are in Edinburgh with a group of pupils, teachers and parents. After the holidays I can start producing materials. have a nice Easter. Marianne
April 05: Hallo, thanks for the clip. Unfortunately the quality of the sound is not so good on our computers, so we can´t really use them in lessons.We practise dialogues at the moment, such as job interviews and I have to record them .Our IT teacher offered me some help and I suppose we can do it at the end of May/ beginning of June.I could only send a VHS if you are interested.Marianne