Using comics as a language teaching tool.

I have created comic strips to use them in class to teach students how to use formal languages when requesting an extension of assignment due date to their teachers. I will give them an activity to read the comic, and complete the blank part of the comic. As they are doing this they will practice their summarizing ability, and use formal languages learned during class to fill out the blank part of the comic. This activity will be done individually.

Profile of my students:

Age - 16 years old

Grade - Freshman

Proficiency level - Intermediate Mid

Goals/objectives of the lesson:

• Practicing their summarizing ability

• Learning how to make a formal request to a teacher for extending assignment due date.

Lessons taught prior to giving the activity:

Diverse formal languages for making request

e.g

Would you please consider …?

Would it be possible to…?

I respectfully request...

I am sorry, but could I…?

I would be grateful if you could ...

Extension / Postpone

Deadline / Due date / submission

Activity instruction:

Read the cartoon, and summarize what kind of problem Jacey is going through. Then, fill out the blank of the last sentence of the cartoon which says "I had some problem with my computer last night__________."

This blank should be about requesting an extension of the assignment due date. Please use the formal languages learned in class. (TIP: It can me more than one sentence)

Activity guideline:

This activity will be done in-class, and students will be assigned one partner. With the partner, they will share each ideas on how to use the formal languages learned in class to request an extension of the assignment deadline. Also, write down at least three different ways to make a formal request by using target languages. Through this, students will be able to create cooperative learning, and practice using formal languages several times.

Cartoon:

Title: Making a request

Expected answer:

Summary: Jacey went through a technical problem with her computer last night, so she could not finish the essay that was due after the class. She is going to ask her teacher Mrs.Miller for an extension of the assignment submission.

Fill in the blank:

I had some problem with my computer last night, so I could not finish my essay. I had it almost done, but then the computer just froze and went blue screen and never came back. Would it be possible to postpone the due date of the assignment for me?

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Reflection:

I think Pixton is by far the most amazing, near perfect tool for creating language class materials. Before, I used Pixton, I worried that it would have lack of clothes, facial expressions, backgrounds, and fonts. However, it was much better than I expected considering that the cartoon I have created is done with free-trial account. For the character part, I had no difficulty finding appropriate facial expressions and gestures to show the emotion of characters. Also, there were a lot of clothes, skin colors, hair styles, eye colors, make up types to depict the age, gender and job of the character. Moreover, the diverse backgrounds helped a lot to show the setting of the story.

This time, I have used it to create a fill in the blank and summarizing activity to teach students the usages of formal language for formally requesting something to their teacher. However, I have seen a great potential with Pixton, and I believe that it can be used in various methods such as role playing, speaking practice, creating own cartoon and more. Once I become an English teacher, I would definitely come back on Pixton to create another class material. Also, as this is a comic, another factor that makes this a great lesson tool is that it has a combination of visual and text. This will surely help students to recall their lessons better!

I would like to hear from any people who reads this post about how this cartoon is!