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Database of Teaching Sources

A database of selected, reviewed, tested, assessed and validated e-learning based language teaching sources addressed to Higher education students for the learning of 18 different European languages.

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Virtual tour to a museum (The winter palace, St. Petersburg)

Date of Publication

2021

Target Group

Lecturers
Students

Domain Area

Tourism

Learning Scenario

Classroom Context

Target Language

English

Language of Instruction

English

CEFR level

B1
B2

Type of Material

Animation
Video

Linguistic Features

Vocabulary
Grammar
Pragmatics
Prosody

Skills

Listening
Speaking
Writing

Description

The virtual tour museum allowed the class from the tourism course to virtually visit the museum.
This activity intended to take advantage of the very nature of the museum context, familiar to this group of students, for the purpose of practicing specific vocabulary and terminology related to guided tours. The students were theref¬¬¬ore expected to select key features from the virtual tour and prepare a short tour guide using specific vocabulary. Meanwhile, the teacher checked whether or not key vocabulary as previously studied was well used or not. Prompt feedback was provided to students.
Students with more difficulties were also given extra support regarding the very use of vocabulary and grammar for the referred activity.

Case study

The resource's validation results from the students' presentations. Students have successfully presented their previously written notes regarding the tour guide role plays and have managed to use specific vocabulary and grammar in a specific context, more precisely in a tourism-related context: a virtual museum. Furthermore, the teacher has proved the activity's success, judging from the students' commitment and enthusiasm as well as their positive performances during their role-plays.
The students were given enough time to review the specific vocabulary and virtually visit the museum. Such aspect enabled most students to successfully complete their task and get hands-on in such real-life tasks as they will face in their future careers.

Guidelines

The virtual tour is divided into different moments.
1. (warmer) The Lecturer asks the students questions about the Winter palace museum and reminds students about some of its historical and cultural facts as previously studied in the coursebook.
2. The lecturer takes the students on the virtual tour and explores its many attractions together with the students.
3. The students are then asked to chose some of its attractions and prepare a tour guide by using specific and previously studied vocabulary and grammar. Each student will prepare his/her tour guide individually.
4. The students present their works/tour guides while pointing out the attractions as projected in class.

Review

Category
Rate
Comprehensive approach
Capacity to match the needs of lecturers and students

4

Added value
The provided tangible improvements

4

Motivation enhancement
The capacity to motivate students to improve their language skills

4

Innovation
Effectiveness in introducing innovative, creative and previously unknown approaches to LSP learning

4

Transferability
Measurement of the transferable potential and possibility to be a source of further capitalisation/application for other language projects in different countries

4

Skills assessment and validation
Availability of appropriate tools for lecturers to monitor students’ progress and for students to assess own progress and to reflect on learning

4

Adaptability
Flexibility of the contents and possibilities for the LSP lecturers to adapt the contents to their and to students’ need

5

Usability
Assess the technical usability from the point of view of the lecturer and the student

5

Accessibility
Assess the accessibility from the point of view of the lecturer and the student

5

Comments:
This resource is valuable for students studying Tourism as it allows them to engage in role play-related activities and put into practice specific vocabulary and grammar as studied. The students can easily access it from the classroom and/or anywhere else. The museum as chosen provides a great number of details from which the students can practice their tour guide-related vocabulary and expressions. Regarding the very attitudinal aspects, students show interest and focus, while improving their previously acquired vocabulary and grammar. Both this resource and activity may be used in other countries/languages and motivates students to put what they have learnt into a specific context.
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