I'm not sure how familiar most English teachers are with the Task-based Teaching approach. It may be that this approach goes by other names in different parts of the world. It may also be that there are other, virtually identical approaches that have been invented and implemented at other times. Education can be a very faddish discipline, and it can be hard to keep track of the competing ideas, approaches, and theories.
I feel obliged to introduce the Task-based Teaching approach because much of what I say about special topics is linked to this approach. While teaching English for its own sake is certainly warranted (and moreover advisable), in many situations the idea of learning English through a secondary topic has a lot to do with my understanding of Task-based Teaching.
The central tenets/guidelines/suggestions of the Task-based Teaching approach are:
"1 - The teacher does not attempt to control learner language.
2 - The success of the procedure is judged on whether or not learners communicate successfully.
3 - At some stages during a meaning-focused cycle of activities learners and teachers will focus on language... Teachers will participate in the interaction by helping learners to shape and clarify what they want to say.
4 - Focus on form comes after focus on meaning. Advocates of a meaning-based approach will spend most of the time in the classroom on activities which promote communicative language use, but will supplement these with activities designed to promote accuracy." (1)
If you agree with the above four statements, then the necessity of teaching secondary subjects through the medium of English should be self-evident. Granted, students at a more elementary level will need an introduction to the basic mechanics of English to understand many subjects, but this does not obviate the usefulness of this approach. No, you're not going to start a lesson on Particle Physics with a group of third graders who haven't yet mastered their alphabet, but you can do a lesson on numbers and other mathematical concepts. From small beginnings, those with the time and interest can go very, very far.
With this in mind I offer a partial list of some of the special topics I have explored in class, and some thoughts on teaching each. My experience with each of these subjects varies, and I have to confess a complete ignorance of how these topics might be applied to high school students. I taught high school for exactly half a day, many years ago.
1. Physical Education
This one should be obvious to anyone who's taught small children. Sports and games offer social interaction, an out-of-classroom context, and an opportunity for kinesthetic learning.
I find that it is better to play games that kids in Taiwan are less familiar with. Dodgeball, for example, becomes Chinese time. American football, however, is less familiar for kids in Taiwan, and requires an understanding of complex rules. In other words, listening to the teacher explain the rules (in English) is essential. I have had particular success teaching American football to junior high students.
2. Art
Again, a no-brainer for anyone who's taught small children. Art (and PE) works well with students who have trouble concentrating. Art can also be coupled with other subjects such as geography, giving the students a chance to show their understanding of the teacher's subject-specific input through artistic expression. The only problem with art is that it is so time-consuming. A ten minute drawing exercise can easily turn into a thirty minute art project, and dealing with the materials - both the pre-lesson preparation and cleaning them up in class - can be a hassle.
3. Science
With very young children, I always approach Science through animals. Most children know at least a few animal names in English, and are eager to talk about them. From animals, we can move on to more complex discussions about where animals live, what food they eat, and what kind of environment they prefer.
4. Social Studies/Geography
This one is always a winner for me, partially because I love talking about flags, countries, and tourist destinations. Flags are an easy, colorful way to get into this topic, but maps often work just as well. Social Studies and Geography are just another way of talking about the human animal, and they resemble Science in many respects.
5. Weapons!!
I realize that this sounds BAD. I don't mean to encourage violence, and Lord knows there could be less guns in the world, but young boys are interested in this topic, and I think it is worth exploring. Keep in mind that all boys in Taiwan face an obligatory two years of military service after they turn 18, and that "national defense" is a topic often discussed in public schools throughout Taiwan. I believe that we need to increase the peace, but violence is certainly an aspect of the modern world worth considering.
6. Languages Other Than English
This can be done if you are familiar with another language that the students don't know, or if they are familiar with a language other than Chinese or Taiwanese. Parents usually grow ecstatic when they hear about a teacher doing something like this, even though the language used isn't always meaningful. Letting students know that you, their teacher, are also a language learner is always helpful.
7. Math
I do a lot of math with kids at the elementary level. Numbers are one of the first things they learn, and from numbers it is easy to move on to addition and other operations. It helps to take a look at their math textbooks before attempting this. Math can be language-poor after a certain level, so I tend to avoid it with more advanced students.
8. Dance
Kids in the lower grades love dancing, and singing songs with movement. Older kids despise it. I tend to do it more with my third graders. With kids past the sixth grade I wouldn't bother.
9. Music
There are many ways to approach this topic. Students can sing songs, listen to songs, engage in musical performances, attend performances, or just learn about Western/non-Chinese music. Pop music tends to work better. A lot of students in Taiwan are bored by classical music, and tend to associate it with laborious piano and/or violin lessons. Teaching kids a few English songs and then hosting a "KTV party" is a sure fire hit every time.
10. Comic Books
I had a lot of success with this topic a couple of years ago, though I haven't explored it since then. American superheroes are famous worldwide, and kids are often eager to learn about these characters in English. I've shown students American comic books in class but haven't encouraged the reading of them. The English in these comics is quite difficult, and will discourage all but the most proficient students.
(1) This text is quoted from Willis, Dave and Jane Willis. 2007. Doing Task-based Teaching. Oxford; Oxford University Press.
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