Introduce classroom activities designed to encourage ESL students to share their imaginative interpretations of American art. It is a powerful way for ESL instructors to help satisfy the learning needs of ESL students who seek an academic or sophisticated impression of society in the United States.
Classroom activities that help ESL students to share their rich and imaginative interpretations of American art is a meaningful way for ESL instructors to provide for some of the needs of ESL students. It can be a method that gives a sophisticated view of society in the United States.
The process of studying great paintings can evoke powerful feelings that are well suited to expressive language. In particular, the study of American art presented within the context of ESL classroom activities can help ESL instructors to promote an understanding of American culture and history. And specifically, the study of American holiday celebrations, like Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July, Depicted by American artists like Norman Rockwell and Grandma Moses, paintings are very effective in presenting the wisdom and life values of American society.
The study of American art is also well suited to both ESL speaking and writing activities. Both profit immensely through the collectively shared classroom experiences of an ESL student’s unique ideas and reactions to the wisdom, intelligence and life often depicted in American art.
Additionally, the study of American art by ESL students enhances the connection between the pattern-recognizing right hemisphere of the brain and the more analytical, language-processing aspects of the left.
However, the introduction of American art into an ESL curriculum does require some consideration regarding the various levels of ESL learners.
For beginning level English literacy students, ESL instructors should choose paintings that depict people engaged in familiar activities and movements. This will facilitate discussions as to whom the people are and what it is that they are doing. More advanced students can be introduced to a wider range of social communities in the US, like the artistic contributions of women and Native Americans, whose artworks- after decades of neglect- have begun to receive greater attention in recent years. Furthermore, the study of American art can be successfully carried out in ESL classroom activities that involve individuals and or small groups.
Students engaging in American art studies related activities can develop skills that including how to talk about a particular work of American art either individually or through group critiques.
ESL teachers can also invite guest artists to visit the class, giving participants the chance to interact with American artists, while viewing and discussing their work.
Examples of some of the discussion points that can be included within an ESL lesson plan regarding the study of American art might include . . .
1. How would you describe the work you are looking at?
2. Does the image convey a particular mood or atmosphere?
3. Does the artist appear to be making a particular social, political, or ideological statement?
4. Is the image telling a story or narrating?
5. What particular work of American art appeals to you the most?
6. Is there a work of American art you dislike more than others?
7. Is there a particular American Artist—or artwork –you would like to study in greater depth?
In addition to taking advantage of local art resources, ESL teachers can supplement their American art studies lesson plans with a wide variety of Internet resources, like . . .
The Getty Museum, which offers workshops and professional development programs that help ESL teachers incorporate the study of art into their ESL classrooms.
And with virtual tours of art museums at . . .
And for an interesting example of a creative ESL art study activity look to . . .
Using Art Postcards in ESL/EFL Communication Classes featured at The Internet TESL Journal, a great resource for teachers of English as a Second Language which includes articles, research papers, lesson plans, classroom handouts and teaching ideas.
No matter the particular resources an ESL instructor taps into, the study of American art history in an ESL setting is both an effective vehicle for English language learning and academic preparation, as well as a creative means to encourage all levels of ESL students to adopt a broader, more intellectual, appreciation of American civilization.