Global Teen Dictionary

Step 1: Introduction and language collection

• Teachers introduce the project by explaining its purpose and guiding students to explore their cultural heritage.
• Students make a list of 10 to 15 English expressions they frequently use in daily life.
• From their list, they select 3 to 5 expressions and create real-life situations where these could be used.
• Students are encouraged to present these situations in different formats, such as:

1. Dialogues
2. Short stories
3. Social media posts

• The class compiles all expressions and examples to create an initial word bank.
• Expressions are categorized by themes to make them easier to use.
• The word bank document is shared on the project board in Class2Class.org.
• The partner class is invited to comment, add new examples, and contribute additional expressions.

Step 2: International exchange and practice

• A video call is scheduled between the partner classes to facilitate real-time interaction.
• Students are grouped into international teams to share and practice the collected expressions with peers from other countries.
• Each student presents some of their expressions and explains their meaning or usage in context.
• To reinforce learning in a fun way, activities such as:

1. "Guess the Meaning": Students present phrases in context, and their peers try to deduce their meaning.
2. "Expression in Action": Role-playing activities where students use new expressions in different scenarios.

Step 3: Creation and sharing of the dictionary

• Communicate with the partner class teacher to plan the design and structure of a single collaborative dictionary.
• Guide students to collaboratively categorize words by themes and provide examples of their use in appropriate contexts.
• Record pronunciation guides for each word and expression to help students improve their listening comprehension and pronunciation.
• Upload the dictionary and audio library to the board section of the platform so all participants can access them.
• Organize a video call where students can:

1. Share their experiences and learning.
2. Explore the different sections of the dictionary together.

• Motivate students to keep enriching the dictionary with new words and expressions, fostering ongoing collaborative learning.

Assessment and reflection ✍️

• Evaluate student participation in research and presentation.
• Assess quality of digital content creation.
• Observer student interaction during virtual exchanges.
• Written reflections on personal growth and learning.

Teacher tips 💡

• Foster a safe and inclusive learning environment that values diverse perspectives and experiences.
• Provide clear guidelines and expectations for respectful communication and collaboration. We suggest you review the coexistence policies of Class2Class.org.
• Facilitate the formation of diverse international teams, ensuring a mix of skills, backgrounds, and perspectives.
• Provide scaffolding and support throughout the research and action planning process, offering guidance and resources as needed.
• Encourage student agency and ownership of their learning, allowing them to drive the direction of their projects.
• Celebrate student achievements and facilitate meaningful reflection on their growth and the impact of their actions.

This enhanced version of the Global Teen Dictionary project creates a more comprehensive language learning experience while maintaining its cross-cultural focus.