Conversation and Animation

Conversation and Animation 

Slogan: Think simple and speak slowly!

This new project is aimed specifically at adults who are beginning the study of the English language or who have only basic language skills, especially suitable for those who have just arrived in Britain.

The basic idea is to provide an opportunity to use the linguistic skills possessed and implement them practicing conversations in English simulating everyday life situations : at the doctor, in a store (to buy clothes, vegetables, etc. .), at  the metro or bus station and so on.
In this way, in addition to learning the language, students will learn about the customs and norms about their country of adoption.

The two objectives: on one hand to learn and use adequately basic linguistic skills and, on the other hand, promote an understanding of the new social context.

The facilitator / animator (and teacher) and teacher of English: the project involves the presence of two figures, a mediator / facilitator, able to use theatrical techniques skills capable of creating the "conversational occasions" taking,  as inspiration,  the real life situation, and the English teacher, have to be able to teach the language but also to "play the game" and became part of the "representation"of the everyday life situations represented.

It is expected that the mediator / animator is also a foreigner while the English teacher should be a UK native; the animator, as a foreigner, is aware about the linguistic and social learning needs of the participants and, the English teacher is not only "the teacher par excellence" of the English language, but also "The English", the native, the person that we, the foreigners, we have come to meet, the one we want to know.

The result of the relationship between the facilitator / mediator and the English teacher is expected to be funny, even comical.

The fun is the key to play down the condition of emigrant and relieve the effort of learning (that is why the  name of the project include the term "animation" that  refers to the theatre and to "the fun").


I take this opportunity to thank Laura Marziale (Community Education & Employment Coordinator), Bianca Galluccio and the whole staff of Migrants Resource Centre

The activity took place at the Migrants Resource Centre (Migrants Resource Centre

24 Churton Street London, SW1V 2LP) from November 2015 until April 2016,  every Friday from 13:00 to 15:00. The experience is now concluded.