Using Art for Language Development

Always, always, we are looking for ways to develop vocabulary and speaking skills in our language learners. Whether they are speaking in their L1 or L2, they need help learning to express what they see and what they think.

We also want to give them rich cultural experiences. Language is richer and more meaningful when taught in its cultural context.

Here's a simple way to develop language and cultural appreciation at the same time: art folders!

I had an old art history textbook that I used to make this material. I cut out many pictures of paintings and sculptures; this saved me from using up my printer ink! I've only begun to make my art folders; there will be many more, and I don't want to spend a fortune in ink cartridges!

Each folder has a theme, either an artist or a time period in art history. Each picture of a painting or sculpture is glued onto a certain color paper, and the same color foil star is stuck to the back of each picture that goes in a particular folder. This helps children put them back in the right folder, and keep everything organized.

Here's my folder for Pablo Picasso. Wasn't he a fascinating person? Three of his works are currently in this folder. On the back of each is written the artist's name, the name of the work, and the date (exact or approximate) of its composition. You can also add a few details about the work, such as where it was done, what it represented to the artist, or what it tells us about the time period.

All of these are mounted on blue paper, with a silver star on the back. On the front of the folder, the name of the artist is on blue paper with a silver star, so that the paintings can be easily matched.

For language development, a child chooses an art folder and takes out the pictures of the works. Then you simply talk with them about what they see in the paintings or sculptures. What objects or people are there? What kinds of colors were used? Is there movement? What might be happening? What might the people be thinking? Do you like this painting or sculpture? Would you hang it in your home? Do you think the artist wanted to tell you something with this painting?

We aren't looking for certain correct answers to those questions. We just want to engage students in looking at and thinking about art, and then expressing those thoughts.

We can also tell stories about particular works of art. This is wonderful for listening comprehension skills. Students love stories, and we can bring so much culture to life through them.

Students can also practice their reading skills on their own with the art folders, by reading the information that is on the back of each card. Not only will they become more fluent readers, they'll be increasing their cultural literacy.

These are very simple to make; start with one or two folders, and add to your collection regularly. Children are very interested in them, and you can tie them into your cultural studies. Watch your students become small art historians, with excellent language skills. And think how fun it would be to take students with these experiences to an art museum!