Visit to the museum Dr. Guislain in Gent

Our the last but one session was a little bit unusual because we went on a trip to the museum Dr. Guislan in Gent.

We have seen two popular exhibitions:

1)      ‘Nerveuze vrouwen’

2)      ‘History of Psychiatry’

The main purpose of that trip was to consider what and how we as a future teachers can visit any museum with children. During that meeting it occurs that it is possible to go with kids to almost every museum. 
What’s really important, is how we will organize such event.

The children do not have to see the whole exhibitions. We can choose for them only some the most important or necessary parts. We can even focus on one piece of art.

As a future English teacher, for me the most interesting is how to use such trip in TEACHING ENGLISH. 

It is also possible, even when the museum is not ‘English’. During our trip we have done two activities which can also be used in language lessons:

1)      One pupil is standing in front of the picture and tries to describe to the other children who does not see it. They try to draw that image.

2)      All the children see a painting. In groups or pairs they try to create a story (what happened before or after the scene in the paintings). They can also draw it or tell it.

Here are some more ideas of language activities in the museums:

1)      The children get the written descriptions of pieces of art. Their task is to find that object in the museum.

2) Each child chooses one piece of art. He/she gathers the information about it (it can be in native language). Later their task is to present gather materials – being a guide.

3) The children task is to create a map of the most interesting things for them. Then they take a whole class to the tour in the museum (each group prepares a map of one room). They present the pieces of art in English.

The museum is a great opportunity for children not only to explore what is inside, but also to practice foreign language. Language teachers should use all the opportunities  they have. Such lessons may be also more interesting and practical than activities in the classroom.