Creative Speaking Projects

Curriculum Focus:

A-Level English Language – Speaking and Listening Assessment
Aligned with the United Kingdom's A-Level educational framework: Developing critical thinking, creativity, and oral communication skills for effective discourse.
Total Class Time: 50 minutes
Target Class Size: 110 students

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Objective

To assess students’ speaking and presentation skills through a variety of engaging and creative projects focused on critical global issues. Students will demonstrate proficiency in clear articulation, persuasive discourse, teamwork (if applicable), and deep understanding of relevant topics in modern society.

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Lesson Structure

1. Starter Activity (5 Minutes)

Icebreaker Prompt (Group Discussion):

• Write on the board: "What is one global issue you feel passionate about?"
• In groups of 5, students will take turns answering this question in 30 seconds. The goal is to warm up speaking abilities and set the tone for meaningful discussion.

2. Project Introduction (10 Minutes)

• Teacher to explain the purpose of the speaking assessment, aligned with A-Level curriculum expectations.
• Introduce 7 project options (included below), emphasising the opportunity to choose based on interests, skills, or group dynamics.
• Showcase a simple example of brainstorming for one project option to model expectations.

3. Group/Individual Work Time (30 Minutes)

Students will select one project, form groups (if applicable), and begin brainstorming and planning their task.

• Distribute printed task sheets (one for each project option) for clear instructions.
• Teacher moves around the class, monitoring progress, answering questions, and encouraging students to deepen their thought processes.

4. Wrap-Up (5 Minutes)

• Groups/individuals briefly share their chosen project and a key idea they’ve brainstormed so far.
• Teacher reminds students of next steps: finishing project preparation for presentation during the next lesson.

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7 Creative Speaking Project Options

1. Global Connections - English-Speaking Countries

Topic: Exploring Global Influence of English-Speaking Nations

• Task: Create a presentation charting how one major English-speaking country (e.g., Australia, Canada) contributes to global culture, politics, or environmental efforts.
• Creative Twist: Include a fictional speech from the perspective of a citizen or world leader advocating for stronger ties between English-speaking countries.
• Assessment Focus: Persuasion, cultural analysis, and presentation clarity.

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2. Debate Showdown - Globalisation: Friend or Foe?

Topic: The Pros and Cons of Globalisation

• Task: Work in pairs to research and prepare for a structured debate.
• Students choose sides: “Globalisation improves the quality of life” vs. “Globalisation increases inequality.”
• Creative Twist: Teams present their arguments as though they are government officials addressing a world summit.
• Assessment Focus: Argument structure, fluency, and use of evidence.

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3. Helping Hand Documentary

Topic: The Power of Volunteerism and Charity

• Task: Create a live mini "documentary-style" speaking presentation about a charity or volunteer project (real or invented) that inspires them.
• Creative Twist: Students must integrate a role-play, such as an interview or monologue from a volunteer or beneficiary’s perspective.
• Assessment Focus: Creativity, empathy, and audience engagement.

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4. Virtual Climate March - “There’s No Planet B”

Topic: Environmental Awareness and Activism

• Task: Deliver a persuasive “call to action” speech as if addressing a global climate protest.
• Creative Twist: Create a slogan and chant for an imaginary environmental campaign that classmates can join in at the end of their speech.
• Assessment Focus: Persuasive impact, emotional appeal, and originality.

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5. Newsroom Special: The World Under Threat

Topic: Current Critical Threats to Global Stability

• Task: Pretend to be news anchors covering a breaking story about a threat (e.g., climate change, deforestation, war, public health crisis).
• Creative Twist: Include mock “interviews” with experts, activists, or victims of the issue being reported on.
• Assessment Focus: Collaboration (if in a team), clarity of information, and professional tone.

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6. Spoken Word Campaign - “A Global Call”

Topic: Raising Awareness for a Global Issue

• Task: Write and perform a spoken word poem about an urgent global issue, intertwining personal feelings with factual information.
• Creative Twist: Incorporate sound or rhythm (e.g., clapping, snapping, or music) to enhance the impact of the performance.
• Assessment Focus: Artistic expression, delivery, and emotional resonance.

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7. Designing the Future

Topic: Solutions for a Better Tomorrow

• Task: Individually, present a creative idea, product, or policy that could solve a major global problem, such as poverty or plastic pollution.
• Creative Twist: Present the idea as a pitch to secure funding, speaking persuasively as though addressing potential investors.
• Assessment Focus: Innovation, persuasive structure, and rhetorical skill.

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Differentiation for Diverse Student Needs

• High-Achieving Students: Encourage complex exploration of their project topic, e.g., discussing the long-term impact of global decisions.
• Support for Struggling Students: Provide guidance on developing simpler, more focused ideas and practising delivery in smaller steps. Use sentence starters to scaffold presentations.
• EAL (English as an Additional Language): Allow bilingual students to briefly use their native language to enhance points (if appropriate to their topic). Pair with fluent English speakers for support.

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Assessment Criteria

Aligned with the A-Level Specifications for Speaking Skills:

1. Clarity: Speech is cohesive, clear, and easily followed.
2. Content: Demonstrates depth of understanding and engagement with the selected topic.
3. Creativity: Utilises innovative approaches to presenting ideas.
4. Delivery: Effective use of tone, body language, and emphasis to engage the audience.

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Resources Needed

• PowerPoint slides outlining project options (to be created by the teacher based on the above).
• Task sheets for each project.
• Timer for group discussions.
• Optional props students may use for their presentations.

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Homework/Follow-Up

Students continue developing their chosen project. Those working in groups should organise meet-ups to ensure preparation is coordinated. Next lesson, groups/individuals will perform their presentations, aiming to be assessed based on today’s explained criteria.

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This lesson plan ensures students remain engaged, informed, and assessed in meaningful ways. It supports creativity while exploring critical global issues within an English-speaking context, perfectly aligned with the A-Level curriculum.