Welcome to my blog! I'm an ESOL teacher and teacher trainer in the UK, and you'll find some of the websites I know about in this blog, and some suggestions on how to use them. Hope it's helpful.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Art Project (powered by Google)

Here's another lovely site if you want some visual stimulation for descriptive work.  With this website, you can go on a virtual tour of lots of the most famous art galleries in the world - MoMA in New York, the National Gallery and the Tate in London, The Hermitage in St Petersburg - if you're into art, it's really fab, and even if you think your students are not so interested in high culture, how much nicer to describe beautiful pictures than mediocre ones.

The gallery tour looks like this and you can navigate your way around using your mouse. 
 You can also zoom in and have a better look at individual pictures, like this:


There are lots of ways you could use these pictures.  You could use this picture, with low levels for example to practise prepositions (the bed is next to the wall, there are pictures on the wall, etc) and articles (there is a table under the window, on the table is a glass).  At higher levels ask them for homework to choose a museum, choose a picture and write a description of it, or just a paragraph on why they like it.
Limitations?  I guess it won't appeal to everyone, as quite a lot of people may feel that this is a bit 'high' culture - for teenagers, it may not be very 'cool' - and, to be honest, navigating your way around isn't all that easy (you can end up staring at the wall, or the ceiling or going through the wall into the street!), but it works well if you choose a museum and them go through the pictures that they have selected.

2 comments:

  1. I really like this site too, but it hadn't occurred to me to use it with learners - thanks for the tip!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Sir, You are really good writer.

    This article will help everyone to know so much important information about on jogakonga2011.com.It is very helpful in using social media sites.its a Valiable site for all the people .I always like this website . It is very alternative for people and helpful to anybody. You may know me by it Welcome to Rugstar.com.au, Australia's favorite online rug buying groceries in Australia: we get direct deals from the producer to you! We sell an implausible range of Australian favorite floor rugs, carpet rug, by way of shopping on-line you'll keep on shaggy, modern, wool, traditional and lots of different rug designs.

    Thanks For Only You Create That cute Article.

    ReplyDelete