Speaking task 1: practice your explanation

In a small group

1. Find paintings that clearly illustrate each of the seven elements of art. (tip: WikiArt.org - Visual Art Encyclopedia)
2. Take turns describing each element, using these paintings.
3. Keep taking turns until you feel comfortable explaining the concepts.

For instance:

• (point to the painting) This is a line. It is straight/ curved/ thick/ thin.
• (point to the painting) This is colour. It is bright/ dark/ warm/ cool.
• (point to the painting) This is value. Here, it is dark. Here, it is light.

Think back to discourse, sentence, and word/phrase dimensions of your explanation.

• discourse: the structure of your explanation. Was it short and easy to follow?
• sentence: Did you use short, grammatically simple sentences?
• word/phrase: Did you use the target language? Did you explain the key words correctly?

Speaking task 2: language of opinion

In this activity, you will practice giving your opinion about a painting.

Select one of the paintings you found earlier, in Listening Task 1 or Speaking Task 1.

Think about why you like or dislike that painting. Are the lines too close together, or is the space not filled evenly? Perhaps you like the colours and the way they contrast, or the shading of the shapes (the values) show the form really realistically.

Make notes of what you want to say about the painting. Think of how  you would describe it, using each of the elements.

With a classmate

1. Talk about the painting.
2. Take turns creating sentences, using the elements of art.

For instance:

• I like this painting because the lines are wiggly, and that makes me  happy.
• I don't like this painting because the colours are too bright.
• I think...
• In my opinion...

Speaking task 3: explaining key concepts

In this activity, you will practice explaining the elements of art in an interactive fashion. Your explanation will have a beginning, a middle, and an end.  

Work with a classmate. You will take turns being a 'teacher' and being a 'learner'.

Choose one or two key concepts to explain. Follow these steps:

• Greet your 'learner'.
• Name what you will be learning about.
• Explain the main concept (elements of aart).
• Explain one or two elements of art. Use modelling and props.
• Round off your explanation.

Do this two or three times each, until you feel fluent.

Speaking task 4: putting it all together

Now, you will practice the entire explanation.

Work in small groups of 3 or 4. Take turns giving your explanation, as though you were teaching young learners. Give each other feedback.

Follow these steps:

• Welcome your learner.
• Name what you will learn about.
• Explain the main concept (elements of art).
• Explain 3 or 4 elements of art.
• Encourage your learners to interact with the new vocabulary. Get them to repeat the new words after you.
• Check for understanding (ex: Is this a line or a shape? Is this a colour or a form?)
• Round off your explanation.

Note: you do not have to do the entire lesson.

Think back to discourse, sentence, and word/phrase dimensions of your explanation.

• discourse: the structure of your explanation. Was it short and easy to follow?
• sentence: Did you use short, grammatically simple sentences?
• word/phrase: Did you use the target language? Did you explain the key words correctly?