In secondary school, a language is usually tested in writing. This also applies to the final exam of a language. The written testing is practical for the student and it is so easy for the teacher to check. It depends on the teacher and / or the school to what extent the language is actually practiced orally and tested. Language village is a fun way to put a language into practice, but many students also find it exciting. Does that also apply to you? Or would you like to know more about the Taaldorp phenomenon? Then read on quickly.
What is a language village?
At a language village there is one foreign village imitated, for example in a gym. In this village, various situations have been recreated as you can find abroad, eg a French bakery, tourist office, hotel, restaurant, etc. The whole will be somewhat decorated so that it looks more or less real. In these situations there are one or more people who speak the language in question well (for example a teacher or intern). The students walk through the different situations for one conversation to be performed in the target language. The extent to which this conversation is open or closed will differ per school and per level. Those with whom the students have the conversation give an assessment. In high school, a language village is often held in the 2nd or 3rd grade.
What can I expect?
In the run-up to the language village, your teacher will tell you exactly what is expected of you in the language village. Most likely you will get one booklet of the teacher, which contains auxiliary sentences and in which some example situations have been worked out. In such a booklet you often have to get started with independently (or with a fellow student) drafting situations in the relevant language. During the lessons that follow you usually have the conversations with a fellow student. That is of course for practice.
How do I prepare well?
Of course it is important to participate properly from the first lesson. Ask yourself if you understand what is expected of you. If not, ask for additional explanation from the teacher. Learn the auxiliary phrases in the book well and faithfully conduct the conversations according to the teacher’s directions. Especially learn the phrases that can help you if you don’t remember during a conversation, such as: ??Could you repeat that??, or: ??I do not understand??.
Do not be afraid to talk a lot during the lessons, you are still in the practice phase and the teacher can then give instructions about pronunciation or grammar. That will no longer be done during the language village. So take advantage of the practice lessons and ask the teacher if you do not know the pronunciation of a word. Look on the internet if you can find videos and photos of language villages, there are plenty of them. This will give you an idea of how the language village usually works. Make sure you are well aware of the rules that may apply, for example whether you have a cheat sheet with keywords or not.
I am nervous
Rest assured, you’re really not alone. Students often find a language village exciting. Usually this is especially the case if the students have not practiced the actual oral practice of the language as often in class and if it is their first language village. The counselors at a language village know this too and they will generally try to get you started if you really don’t remember and let you relax.
Reassure yourself, if you participate well during the lessons and you know the phrases that you can use if you don’t remember for a while, then you will go a long way. Practice the situations a lot, for example at home with one of your parents. Practice makes perfect! Do not overdo the preparation, just go to bed on time and do relaxing things when you know that you have put in enough time to prepare.
Fell Erfolg! Good luck! Bonne chance! (in other words: good luck!)