Lesson Plan | Active Methodology | Scientific Technical Vocabulary

Premises: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class duration, prior student study both with the Book and the beginning of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be carried out during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a large part of the available time.

Objective

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

This part of the lesson plan is vital for laying a strong foundation that empowers students to approach academic texts in Spanish with greater assurance. By grasping and applying technical-scientific vocabulary, students will be better prepared to tackle academic and professional challenges that require this linguistic skill.

Objective Utama:

1. Acquaint students with technical-scientific vocabulary in Spanish, essential for comprehending academic texts.

2. Cultivate the ability to use technical-scientific vocabulary in practical situations, like interpreting and creating texts.

Objective Tambahan:

1. Encourage self-directed research on technical-scientific terms and their significance across various fields.

Introduction

Duration: (20 - 25 minutes)

The aim of this introduction phase is to engage students through problem situations that prompt them to think critically about the practical use of technical-scientific vocabulary in Spanish. In addition, the contextualization seeks to tie the content to real-life scenarios, increasing interest and relevance for the students. This initial engagement prepares them for a deeper and more applied exploration in the following activities.

Problem-Based Situation

1. Imagine attending an international conference and needing to understand recent advancements in biotechnology. What technical terms in Spanish would be crucial for effective communication?

2. You've been chosen to translate a chemistry research article from a Spanish journal into English. How would you ensure the scientific terms are technically accurate?

Contextualization

Understanding and utilizing technical-scientific vocabulary in Spanish is important not just for academia but also for professionals working in a globalized environment. For instance, many significant scientific studies are published in Spanish, and grasping this vocabulary is key to staying informed about the latest discoveries. Since many technical terms in Spanish share Latin roots, similar to their equivalents in Portuguese, this can ease the learning curve and recognition.

Development

Duration: (65 - 75 minutes)

This stage of the lesson plan aims to place students in active learning situations where they need to apply technical-scientific vocabulary in Spanish practically and contextually. By collaborating in groups to solve problems or create projects, students cultivate not only linguistic knowledge but also collaborative and critical thinking skills. This phase incorporates the flipped classroom methodology, enabling students to explore and deepen previously learned concepts in a dynamic and interactive manner.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended that only one of the suggested activities be carried out

Activity 1 - Scientists in Action

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Enhance research skills and apply technical-scientific vocabulary in Spanish in a practical context of writing and academic presentation.

- Description: Students will form groups of up to 5 and assume the role of researchers preparing a paper for an international conference on technology innovations. Each group will receive a specific theme such as nanotechnology, robotics, or biotechnology. The challenge is to write a brief summary using technical-scientific vocabulary in Spanish, highlighting the main advancements and challenges in the assigned field.

- Instructions:

• Form groups of up to 5 students.

• Select or draw a research theme for each group.

• Research technical-scientific terms in Spanish related to the theme.

• Craft a 300-word summary about advancements and challenges in the selected field.

• Present the summary to the class, utilizing the technical vocabulary learned.

Activity 2 - Scientific Debate

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Utilize technical-scientific vocabulary in Spanish to formulate and articulate arguments in a debate, fostering critical understanding and dialogue on emerging technologies.

- Description: In this activity, students will be divided into groups, each assigned a role to either support or contest a new technology, such as AI in healthcare. Employing technical-scientific vocabulary in Spanish, the groups will prepare arguments and present them in a structured debate. The goal is to not only use the vocabulary but also to comprehend the ethical, practical, and innovative implications of the technology discussed.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Assign a technology and stance (for or against) to each group.

• Research and prepare arguments using technical-scientific vocabulary in Spanish.

• Conduct a class debate where each group presents its arguments.

• Conclude with a vote to determine which group made the best case for their position.

Activity 3 - Scientific Expedition

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Enhance understanding and application of technical-scientific vocabulary in Spanish through the creation of a visual project that educates and informs about a specific scientific domain.

- Description: Students will form groups and be challenged to delve into a specific scientific area (e.g., astrophysics, environmental chemistry, genetics) using a glossary of technical-scientific vocabulary in Spanish provided beforehand. They must create either a digital or physical poster that illustrates the concepts, terms, and practical applications of the designated field, explaining everything in Spanish.

- Instructions:

• Form groups of up to 5 students.

• Select a scientific field for each group to explore.

• Utilize the glossary to comprehend and apply technical vocabulary.

• Create a poster to illustrate and explain the designated scientific field.

• Present the poster to the class, explaining terms and concepts in Spanish.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

This stage aims to solidify the knowledge gained through practical activities and foster a collective reflection on the importance of technical-scientific vocabulary in Spanish. This discussion enables students to articulate their experiences and insights, reinforcing the knowledge acquired and promoting a deeper understanding and appreciation of the language nuances in technical contexts.

Group Discussion

Start the group discussion by highlighting the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences. Clarify that each group will have a chance to briefly present their findings, challenges faced, and what they have learned. Encourage students to converse about how technical-scientific vocabulary in Spanish enhanced their understanding of the topics discussed and how they could leverage this knowledge in future academic or professional contexts.

Key Questions

1. What were the main challenges faced in utilizing technical-scientific vocabulary in Spanish during the activities?

2. How can mastering this vocabulary impact your understanding of scientific and academic texts?

3. Were there any interesting discoveries or surprises during the projects that you would like to highlight?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

This stage aims to guarantee that students possess a clear and thorough understanding of the topics discussed during the lesson, connecting practical activities to the studied theory and underscoring the practical significance of technical-scientific vocabulary in Spanish. This recap serves as a knowledge consolidation moment, allowing students to reflect on how they can apply the acquired knowledge in their future academic and professional endeavours.

Summary

Summarize the key points covered during the lesson, reinforcing the knowledge gained regarding technical-scientific vocabulary in Spanish and its applicability in academic texts.

Theory Connection

Demonstrate how the practical activities integrated the theory previously studied by students, providing an applied and contextual learning experience that emphasizes the understanding and utility of technical-scientific vocabulary in both academic and real-world situations.

Closing

Highlight the relevance of technical-scientific vocabulary in Spanish within the academic and professional realms, stressing how mastery of these terms can open doors to career opportunities and global collaborations, alongside aiding in a better comprehension of scientific and technical texts.