Creativity is the launch pad for learning

A primary school teacher tape imagination of Turkey as a starting point for the development of language skills in English

What motivates you? am constantly amazed by the creativity and ingenuity of school children I teach. Watching them absorb a lesson is a constant source of motivation.

best teaching moment? When students began to create their own videos for a class project site. I've had children who have never shown much interest in English before meeting the weekend to record short skits, stories and reports of exercises. Best of all, this has not been done as a project or a reward - I just wanted to make themselves

And the worst? Unfortunately, when working with children, behavior and discipline can be a problem. Most students respond well to classroom management strategies, but occasionally there will be one that does not. I recently found a guy who could turn itself a lesson in chaos. Obviously, there were other factors at play that go beyond the classroom and school, but it was a difficult challenge to keep you busy and teach the rest of the class same time. Ultimately, it took a good part of the year to develop a "working relationship" with him and then summer came and it was no longer my student.

What have you learned?

used to think that young students with tasks that require initiative, creativity and independence. I quickly proved otherwise with some of his wonderfully creative projects and now use the imagination of my students as a starting point for many of our lessons. I can draw and describe images, invent stories, create your own role and basically let their ideas run the lesson.

biggest challenge?

• . Much of what I do is designed to get children to use when they speak and write in English, but the fact is that the program is very focused on grammar and grammar is regularly tested in examinations. I am working slowly on the promotion of alternative forms of assessment such as project work and portfolios.

What's next?

recently completed a Masters in Educational Technology and TESOL, so I'm looking to build it. I have plans to reform the program by entering the current Web blogs class to help students to contribute more.

Tip?

Be sensitive. Find out what your students are interested in what they need to learn, what they learn and what they mean to leave their lessons and develop from there.