Матеріали з досвіду роботи

“Навчання творчого письма на уроках англійської мови”

Автор: вчитель англійської мови Головач Олена Валеріївна

Написання творів англійською мовою із опорою на власну фантазію, уявою та досвід учнів є актуальним та потрібним у сучасній школі. Навички творчого письма сприяють формуванню самостійного мислення учнів, як логічного так і творчого, пам’яті, уяви та здатності креативно реалізовувати отримані знання на практиці. Крім того, використовуючи іноземну мову у творчих цілях, учні перетворюють її на власну.

З досвіду роботи знаю, що креативне письмо надзвичайно цікаве для школярів. По-перше, творче письмо, де потрібно використати власну уяву, фантазію та продемонструвати здобуті знання, допомагає самовиразитися. По-друге, життєвий досвід учнів дозволяє їм створювати власні історії, таким чином, перетворюватись на авторів унікальних оповідань.

Творче письмо, завданням якого є написання мовою, що вивчається, із опорою на власну уяву, фантазію та досвід, англійською мовою називається “narrative writing”. Мета цього типу письма – детально розповісти історію, реальну або уявну. Такі твори передбачають наявність персонажів, місця оповіді, розгортання подій. Усе це вводиться на початку твору. Проблема досягає кульмінаційного моменту в основній частині. Важливо пам’ятати, що в добре написаному оповіданні автор використовує творчість, напруження, гумор тощо для створення центральної теми або потрібного враження.

Отже, з якими проблемами стикаються мої учні під час написання творів? Що допоможе усунути ці труднощі? Пропоную матеріали з власного досвіду роботи: рекомендації та декілька учнівських творів, які проілюструють ефективність запропонованих прийомів.

Важливо навчити учнів зрозуміти сам процес творчого письма. Я наголошую, що для вдалого твору характерні такі риси: розкриття теми, конкретна структура, логічне викладення подій, використання допоміжних ідеї, дотримання норм писемної англійської мови. Безперечно, жодне пояснення не матиме належного ефекту без хорошої практики. Тому я використовую різноманітні прийоми для навчання креативному письму.

Читання коротких оповідань англійською мовою може суттєво допомогти учням зрозуміти, як потрібно сконструювати власну історію, оскільки, читаючи, вони аналізують структуру оповідань, складають план прочитаних творів, описують події в хронологічному порядку. Постійно наголошую, що важливо звертати увагу на особливість вжитої лексики, детальні описи, емоції та почуття, передані автором.

Ефективним завданням, яке сприяє збагаченню словникового запасу учнів, є добір синонімів до слів. Наприклад, до слова “excellent” учні добирають такі синоніми: superior, wonderful, fabulous, fantastic, splendid, exquisite тощо. Крім того, використання слів, що вживаються у парі (наприклад, “loads and loads of books”, “sick and tired”, “ups and downs” тощо), складених слів (наприклад, “home-made”, “never-to-be-forgotten”, “breathtaking”, “world-known” та інше) та фразеологізмів (наприклад, “like a fish out of water”, “the last straw”, “from head to foot”, “like a bolt from the blue” тощо) необхідне для створення потрібних образів, атмосфери, а також для природного звучання англійської мови.

Одним із завдань, виконання якого сприяє розвитку умінь творчого викладу думок є мозковий штурм (brainstorming). Формулюю тематично направлене питання (наприклад, “What is a great day that you have experienced?”), учні один за одним дають на них короткі відповіді та записують їх на дошці для подальшого обговорення. Іншим ефективним завданням є звуження понять до ключових слів із теми та розширення понять від ключового слова (clustering/mapping/mind mapping). Наприклад, пропоную учням подумати, з чим вони асоціюють знайомі їм місця (дім, школа, парк, подвір’я тощо). Учні записують свої ідеї на дошці або в зошитах, намагаючись передати якомога більше деталей, емоцій або сенсорних відчуттів. Наприклад, до теми “My School” учні добрали такі слова: “hum of cheerful voices”, “merry laughter”, “well-lit and spacious classrooms”, “busy pupils/teachers”, “peaceful/nervous/stressful/friendly atmosphere”, “strict teachers”, “interesting/boring lessons”.

Однією з проблем, з якою учні стикаються під час написання невеличких оповідань, є правильне вживання часів, адже, як правило, події потрібно викладати у минулому часі, тому учні повинні використовувати різноманіття минулих часів, а це вимагає тривалого тренування. Наголошую, що не лише лексика допомагає створити певну атмосферу та образи, але й граматика. Так, інверсія надає мові оповідання виразності, виконує експресивну функцію підсилення. Крім того, рекомендується об’єднувати прості речення у складні. Три правила, яких потрібно дотримуватися при утворення складних речень: не повторювати слова, при потребі змінювати одну частину мови на іншу, додавати слова для зв’язування думок. Наприклад, три простих речення “The room was packed with guests. The room was beautifully decorated. The guests were talking to each other.” краще звучатимуть у творі, якщо їх об’єднати в одне “The beautifully decorated room was packed with guests talking to each other”.

І, нарешті, пропоную учням намалювати ілюстрації до своїх творів, що робить персонажів реалістичнішими, а процес презентації оповідань – цікавішим.

Пропоную для прикладу такі твори моїх учнів:

A CHANGE IN MY LIFE

I was always a happy girl who didn’t think of anything but studying, playing and walking with friends. I didn’t pay much attention to my parents’ work, household chores, cooking and so on. I didn’t take my parents’ problems to heart and never thought how hard they worked. But out of the blue, my granny who lived far from us caught a cold and my mother had to leave our home to look after the granny.

At first I didn’t even realize that we were at home without mother. But soon dirty plates, a thick layer of dust and an empty fridge made me think that someone had to work about the house. My father and brother were busy at work so they got up early in the morning and hurried to work. They returned late in the evening and were hungry and tired. At that very time I realized that it was me who had to help my family. You know, it wasn’t easy for me to wake up earlier but I did it because I had to prepare breakfast for us. After school I did my lessons, cleaned the house, cooked supper and washed the dishes. Those days were really exhausting. I was as busy as a bee. I didn’t have time even to think about my friends and entertainment.

Luckily, my granny’s illness wasn’t serious and she soon was on her own feet. So, Mum came back in a week. I was as happy as a day is long but at the same time I understood that I was not a little girl any more and I had many duties. Those days helped me understand how busy my parents were.

My life has changed completely since then. I am learning to be responsible and helpful and trying to plan my day and share my free time with my family and friends.

Iryna Prohonyuk

A GOOD LESSON

The world used to stand on a huge turtle, which was swimming in the boundless ocean. Ladybirds, affable and kind-hearted, and hardworking ants lived on the turtle. One of the young ladybirds, called Martha, was careless and light-minded. Martha lived in a delightful house, just half a mile from a sandy beach, so she could follow the coastal promenade and admire the glittering sunlight of the waves every day. The ladybird was happy, she adored playing games, going for a walk, and she never faced difficulties and led a careless way of life. Naturally, her parents wanted their amazing child to be more kind-hearted, willing and thoughtful of others.

Once, while walking in the forest Martha came into a small cave. It was so dark there, the air was full of moisture, and huge cold stones were on the floor. The ladybird was scared but her curiosity was enormous and she kept going. What Martha heard and saw there surprised her.

On a chair was sitting Grim, a wise old ant. Grim was one of the oldest inhabitants of the city, he had built the city with his own hands; he knew everything about everyone in it. “Poor Martha,” said Grim. “You are such a sweet creature, but your life is useful. Your ancestors put their last effort to make this place better; they worked for your bright future. Hadn’t they done this, you wouldn’t have such a carefree life. We must know our past, cherish our present and work hard for the future of our descendants. Think about it”, said Grim.

Martha was impressed by his words – never before had she thought about such significant things. She felt so ashamed for her selfish behaviour. After thinking the situation over, the ladybird decided to change her life so that her parents would be proud of her.

Many years passed after that event. Martha became different – she taught her little children to develop a suitable attitude to work, she became helpful and tolerant. Really, we must not only think about our own priorities, purposes and entertainments, but about our future, relatives and friends. We must keep in mind that it is we who can change the world for better.

Olexandra Protsyuk

MY UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES

Did you experienced something unpleasant on a big day? I did. This story happened to me three years ago when my family and I celebrated the New Year’s Day.

Everything was ready for the holiday: the house was beautifully decorated, we were smartly dressed and the festive table was laid. “In a few minutes we’ll start celebrating”, mother said. While my parents were finishing the preparation, I went to my room to pull myself up on a horizontal bar. I began swinging from side to side. My hands got wet and slippery and a few minutes later I fell down on the floor. I didn’t want to spoil my parents’ mood and didn’t say a word about this little accident. But the pain was growing, so I had to tell my mum what had happened to me.

My mum called a doctor and several minutes later he took me to hospital. After examining my arm and making an X-ray the doctor said that I had broken my arm and he put plaster on it. On the New Year’s Day! Unforgettable memories!

Now I can’t help smiling recollecting that accident which taught me a lesson. I try not to do stupid things which can make my family upset.

Svitlana Zinkovets

MISFORTUNES TELL US WHAT FORTUNE IS

It was my last birthday. That September morning I had a presentiment of something unpleasant, however, I didn’t pay much attention to my apprehension as it was a special day for me – we intended to celebrate my birthday in Paris. What seems to be funny now is that we were sure that our trip was well thought-out.

So, it all started when my family and I set off to the airport. Not only had we been late for the plane, but I lost my purse at the airport too. On such a special day! We went to the Lost Property Office in order to write a letter inquiring about my lost purse. It took me almost an hour to write the letter as I had to wait for the manager. Not surprisingly, we missed our plane and an excursion around breathtaking Paris. What a frustration! I was about to cry.

Suddenly, I noticed a restaurant just opposite the airport. What attracted me was its name “Royal Place”. “What about celebrating my birthday at this restaurant? It’s not Paris, of course, but as the proverb goes “Half a loaf is better than no bread”.   This idea immediately became a light at the end of the tunnel as we hoped to spend a wonderful time there. However, as the days grow longer, the storms are stronger. Never before had I visited such a terrible place. All that we could find there was slow service, cold dishes and greasy tables. They called that place royal! Then we caught a taxi to get home but got stuck in heavy traffic.

We came back home in the evening, irritated and disappointed. We quickly made dinner – it was plain but seemed so delicious, and it was so nice to feel the warmth of my sweet home, to be in a family circle. I thought about that day as a blessing in disguise. Now I realize that whatever happens to you, the situation may not be as dire as it seems. So, I think I will celebrate my next birthday here, at my delightful home, with my dearest people.

Alyona Khandiy

ALL IS WELL THAT ENDS WELL

“Sasha, don’t play on the stones”, I said to my little brother.

It was the second week of our staying in the village. The village was located just at the seaside. The view was marvellous – the crystal clear water of the sea, the blue sky, the soft yellow sand and high rocks. My brother liked sitting on the stones near the rocks and gazing at the water – he could see small fish swimming and playing. But sometimes it was dangerous as the water would cover the stones.

On that day Sasha took his fishing rod and went to the rocks. The fishing was successful. All of a sudden, Sasha got surrounded by water. He climbed up higher and higher, but the water was rising fast. The rocks were wet and slippery. Sasha was terrified. He thought he was going to drown. Fortunately, my brother saw a fishing boat. He screamed for help. The man in the fishing boat heard him and helped the boy. The man who rescued my brother gave him hot tea ant took him home.

Having heard what had happened to Sasha my parents and I were both happy and angry with his. As a proverb goes “All is well that ends well”.

Nonna Guz

CHRISTMAS STORY

Sally couldn’t help smiling watching her three-year-old son who was peacefully playing with his presents near the Christmas tree. “What a fuss I made yesterday!” she murmured to herself.

It was Christmas. Heavy snowflakes were falling down from the dark sky. The wind was bitter and cold. But in Sally’s small apartment it was so cozy and warm. Sally prepared everything for dinner and called her little son. He didn’t answer. She called him again. No answer. He looked for her son in all the rooms. Startled, the young woman called the police. “Help me! My little boy has disappeared. Someone must have kidnapped him! I was busy preparing Christmas dinner. When I came into the room he wasn’t there. I can’t find him anywhere in my apartment.”

The police arrived immediately. One of the policemen was listening to the poor woman; the other one was examining the room. All of a sudden, they heard a weak noise behind the big Christmas tree in the sitting-room. They all rushed to the Christmas tree and saw a little boy quietly sleeping behind the beautifully decorated tree. “What a fool I am! He must have fallen asleep there!” the woman exclaimed happily.

Now, Sally thought about the Christmas story which happened to her yesterday with a smile on her happy face.

Olexander Dzurhalyuk,

Vadym Lopatyuk

Останній штрих – перевірити твори. Перед презентацією оповідань учні ще раз перечитують написані ними роботи, перевіряючи, чи оповідання повністю описує ситуацію, відповідає темі та передає потрібний настрій. Тепла та невимушена атмосфера уроку та дружня підтримка вчителя та однокласників допоможуть учневі успішно презентувати свою роботу.