Saturday morning in Cascais with kids

The sun is setting fast over Carnaxide on a cool winter afternoon. Over the terrace wall glass-fronted blocks catch the weak pink tones of a fading day. Less cold than Newcastle and no hope of snow- getting soft they might say, but there is a real chill in the air.  A full lunch of 'cozido á portugesa'- real winter food with stuffed full of simple goodness and bits of pig-followed by an hour flat on the sofa watching a silly but funny romantic comedy about a con-woman and a divorce lawyer. ( I didn't miss the connection to my own life there). At last the weekend.


Recovery process after a frantic Thursday and a three hour session with my young teens. It's test time for them. Of most value was the speaking evaluation which revealed that, in contrast to the mid-week group, on paper more studious, more focussed, these guys are full of energy and were motivated by being given the chance to get to grips with the spoken word. As it should be. 


They can be such a problem as a group in a less than spacious room, but get them in twos or threes with a structured task and a real exchange of meaning taking place and they really shine. Great turn-taking skills, clearly pushing the limits of their resources, twisting and turning to get out what they wanted to say, helping each other out-and so considerate with each other. Mature beyond their years, and usual behaviour, and totally contrary to the myths surrounding Portuguese inability to hold a well managed conversation, they were great. I don't expect wonders on the written part of the test but who cares. 


And a flash in the pan? Something to build on, phoenix-like from the ashes of a class where control is an issue. Positive washback for the teacher too. Looking forward to next Saturday now.


This all linked rather nicely with the training session on Task-Based Learning I gave on Thursday. The test was structured as per Cambridge TESOL exams and was the first time any of them had done this kind of 'evaluation'. I praised them copiously at the end. They deserved it.


But the point was that they had something to say, accuracy was under-emphasised and  they completed the task producing some great language. Copious notes made for feedback and I may just have them doing the same task again before long.


Dark now and attention turns to material writing for Anton's project. Warm inside at least.