2015 Teaching English To Gifted Children
2015 Teaching English To Gifted Children
2015 Teaching English To Gifted Children
(A teacher-trainee´s handbook)
Nitra: Constantine the Philosopher University, 2015
Pokrivčáková, S. et al. (2015). Teaching Foreign Languages to Learners with Special Educational Needs: e-
textbook for foreign language teachers. Nitra: Constantine the Philosopher University. 128 p.
ISBN 978-80-558-0941-0
Eva Reid
1. Objectives
This chapter provides a brief description of characteristics and peculiarities of
gifted children and gifted education. There are two forms of educating gifted
children: integrated in regular classes and segregated in special classes. There are
certain tips concerning working with gifted children, what to do and what to
avoid. Teaching English as a foreign language to gifted children also has its
specifics and these are discussed, together with general tips, in this chapter.
(2014), separate studies done in the last decades prove the need for gifted
education and more importantly the benefits of special education of the gifted
children. Very eloquent is an analogy is with developing sports talents. Even the
greatest sportsmen would not have been so great if their specific talents had not
been developed by specially trained coaches. In comparison, how do we expect
gifted children to train themselves to be outstanding in science, languages, etc. if
we do not develop their talents? As a result, we need special education for gifted
children with special approach in order to develop their abilities to maximum.
Many gifted education programs around the world set as a minimum
criterion an IQ score of 130 for admitting children to their special programs.
Gifted individuals are further divided based on the IQ scored they achieve
(Wasserman, 2003). Laznibatova (2007, 2012) adds that every gifted individual
is unique and the population of the gifted does not form a homogenous group.
Gifted individuals are a diverse group with various foundations and conditions
for development. This diversity influences the process of development, which
emerges in various levels and areas of giftedness. Even though the gifted children
are a heterogeneous group, there are certain identification characteristics, which
can apply to diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. It is not a simple
task to identify gifted children, as many are hidden, or do not exhibit their talents.
These are some of the common identification characteristics of gifted children
(Laznibatová, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2008; Dočkal 2005; Silverman, 2012):
excellent memory,
good reasoning,
extensive vocabulary,
early reader,
fast learning,
long attention span (when interested),
facility with numbers,
mature judgement for the age,
prefers older companions,
compassion, concerned with justice,
sensitivity (feels hurt easily),
perfectionism, intensity,
creative imagination,
strongly curious,
skilled with jigsaw puzzles,
questions authorities
humour, etc.
Silverman (2012) emphasised that although these characteristics can be
helpful in showing the possibility of giftedness, that each gifted child is an
Teaching Foreign Languages in Inclusive Education:
(A teacher-trainee´s handbook)
Nitra: Constantine the Philosopher University, 2015
individual with unique set of traits that might not confirm any suggested
attributes. Therefore gifted children should be identified and assessed by
professionally qualified people.
Many gifted children are more sensitive than their peers, having interest in
social, moral, and philosophical topics. Emotional giftedness can be developed by
discussing controversial news items, resolving peer conflicts, examining moral
issues on TV programmes, expressing opinions on games, books and movies, etc.
In ordinary classes where gifted children are integrated, they can be
“leaders/organizers” of a group work in making projects, etc. Also activities
dealing with moral dilemmas can be practiced in role plays, socio-dramas, mock
trials, simulations, etc. with the aim to develop decision-making skills, spiritual
sensitivity, ability to manage own thoughts, feelings and behaviour (Bevan-
Brown, Taylor, 2008).
The mentioned issues on moral dilemmas, controversial issues, etc. can be
addressed in English classes with more mature students having good command
of English. Gifted children enjoy discussing controversial news and sensitive
topics such as homelessness, immigration, etc. For discussing such issues, pupils
need to have good command of English (at least B1).
8. Model activities
Two tips for an English class lesson developing fluency, creativity, originality
and flexibility are given. Both activities are recommended for pupils to work in
small groups. When taught in a regular class, there should be similar
representation of pupils in each group with a gifted child in each group. In
segregated classes, gifted children could work both, individually or in a group.
Both activities are taken from online magazines for children (authentic print
materials), which can bring reality and real language to the classroom.
Finishing a story
Teaching Foreign Languages in Inclusive Education:
(A teacher-trainee´s handbook)
Nitra: Constantine the Philosopher University, 2015
The first example is a fiction story from a Creative Kids magazine. The activity
is suitable for a lower secondary grade gifted pupils (age 13-15), whose English is
on A2 level. The title and a beginning of a story is given. Pupils work in groups
and create a story based on given starting sentences. Pupils should be given
sufficient time to write the story. The next lesson they should read their stories in
front of the class. At the end the teacher presents them the full story that was
written in the magazine. They discuss all the stories and vote for the best one.
Further suggestions can be dramatizing and performing the best story.
The Monster in the Closet
Meet Jimmy. Jimmy just turned off his lights and tried to go to sleep. He fell asleep
after about 20 minutes. When he woke up, it was about 1:30 in the morning.
Something happened that night. Something Jimmy would never forget. Something . .
. well, you'll see what I mean . . .
(http://www.ckmagazine.org/prose/2015/2/19/the-monster-in-the-
closet.html)
Predicting a story
The second example is a factual article from the Time for Kids magazine. This
magazine is children´s version of the Time magazine and it is full of serious and
factual articles. The activity is suitable for secondary grade gifted pupils, whose
English is on B1-B2 level. The title, starting sentence of the article and points for
reference are given. Pupils work in groups and predict what could refer to the
given points. Pupils should be given sufficient time to discuss and write their
predictions. Groups present their predictions in front of the class and discuss
them. The teacher presents pupils the full article from the magazine. They discuss
the real information and their predictions.
The article is about children and technologies. Information in the article is
based on research done on tweens (8-12 years old children) and teens (13-18
year old teenagers).
The Truth About Kids and Tech
Teaching Foreign Languages in Inclusive Education:
(A teacher-trainee´s handbook)
Nitra: Constantine the Philosopher University, 2015
Mock Trial
The activity Mock Trial addresses pupils personal qualities, attitudes, values
and feelings. The activity is suitable for secondary school students, whose
command of English is B1-B2. Gifted students are sensitive and enjoy expressing
opinions on moral and controversial issues. Mock trials give a chance for the
whole class to get involved.
This activity takes more than one class. Students are taught needed
vocabulary: court, judge, jury, trial, attorney, prosecution, defense, evidence,
argument, cross examination, verdict, sentence, etc. They are divided into three
groups (numbers in each group can vary depending on number of students): jury,
prosecution group A defense group B and the judge. The groups are given
information with their roles beforehand with the aim to prepare arguments for
the court. The Mock trial lesson should be arranged as a court room - judge being
in the middle, next to him a witness box, A and B groups being on opposing sides
of a room facing the judge and the jury should be on the side. Both groups give
their arguments defending their cases. Judge controls the discussions.
Discussions should not take more than 30 minutes. After all the evidence is
presented, the judge and jury leave the room (10 minutes before the end of the
class) to decide on the verdict. Once the jury has decided which attorney group is
innocent, the judge reads the verdict.
The best topics for Mock trials are known and contemporary criminal cases,
which students are aware of from news, blogs, newspapers or magazines. The
Teaching Foreign Languages in Inclusive Education:
(A teacher-trainee´s handbook)
Nitra: Constantine the Philosopher University, 2015
9. References
Bailey, J. 2015. Monster in the closet. In: Creative Kids. Available on the internet:
http://www.ckmagazine.org/prose/2015/2/19/the-monster-in-the-closet.html.
Dalton, J. & Smith, D. 1986. Extending Children´s Special Abilities: Strategies for
Primary Classrooms. Melbourne: Curriculum Branch, School Divisions. ISBN:
0724175989.
Teaching Foreign Languages in Inclusive Education:
(A teacher-trainee´s handbook)
Nitra: Constantine the Philosopher University, 2015
National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) 2010. Redifining Giftedness for a
New Century: Shifting the Paradigm. Available on the internet:
http://www.nagc.org/sites/default/files/Position%20Statement/Redefining%2
0Giftedness%20for%20a%20New%20Century.pdf.
Reid, E. & Boettger, H. 2015. Gifted Education in Various Countries of Europe. In:
Slavonic Pedagogical Studies Journal: The Scientific Educational Journal. Vol. 4. No.
2. p. 158-171. ISSN: 133986660.
S.J. Quinney College of Law. University of Utah. (n.d.) Kids’ Court. Available on the
internet: http://kidscourt.law.utah.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Lesson-
Plan-5-In-the-Courtroom-final-pdf.pdf.
Contact Data:
Eva Reid, Mgr., PhD.
Teaching Foreign Languages in Inclusive Education:
(A teacher-trainee´s handbook)
Nitra: Constantine the Philosopher University, 2015
Drazovska cesta 4
94974 Nitra
[email protected]
Teaching Foreign Languages in Inclusive Education:
(A teacher-trainee´s handbook)
Nitra: Constantine the Philosopher University, 2015
Editor
Prof. Silvia Pokrivcakova (Department of Language Pedagogy and Intercultural Studies,
Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Slovakia; [email protected])
Publisher
This handbook is scheduled to be published by Constantine the Philosopher University
in Nitra, Slovakia) and is anticipated to be released in October 2015. It is a part of the
project KEGA 036UKF-4/2013 funded by the Ministry of Education of the Slovak
Republic.
There are no submission or acceptance fees for manuscripts submitted to this
publication and the book will be published on-line as an Open Access Publication.
Important Dates
May 15, 2015: proposal submission deadline
May 31, 2015: notification of acceptance
September 30, 2015: full chapter submission
October 31, 2015: review results returned
November 30, 2015: final chapter submission
December 20, 2015: online publishing
Objective
The publication Teaching Foreign Languages in Inclusive Education is planned as
a handbook for future non-native teachers of English. Its aim is to provide – in an easily
understandable and practice-oriented manner – a basic framework and information on
development of foreign language communicative competence of learners with special
educational needs or vulnerable learners. Moreover, it should provide a vehicle for the
dissemination of the latest research, knowledge and examples of good practice among
future teachers of English as a foreign language. Finaly, we believe that the best way to
capture the current trends in inclusive foreign language pedagogy is by inviting
researchers, authors and teacher-trainers from several countries to share their
knowledge and experience.