Using Webquests

Webquests are mini-projects in which a large percentage of the input and material is supplied from the Internet. Webquests can be teacher-made or learner-made, depending on the learning activity the teacher decides on.

http://chalk.richmond.edu/education/projects/webquests/goldenticket/

What is this?

• It is an educational webquest that English teachers and the learners can use.
• It is based on the children's storybook, 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' written by Roald Dahl. 

Why is the content good for language learning?

• All the tasks are related to the story
• Students can get an achievement by doing tasks and get motivated to read the story improving their autonomy

How might you use it to foster language learning?

• Put students in groups of five and let them choose one of the characters(Veruca, Violet, Mike, Augustus, Charlie) and complete his/her character traits
• Report: Students tell the others in their own group what is good and bad about their character
• 'Hot seat' game: The students pretend to be their characters and one of them come to the front and sit on the chair called hot seat. The others ask any questions and the character answers and explains why he/she thinks or behaves like that
• Task: As a group work, make rules about being a good person and make a poster about it in order to get the prize, golden ticket later
• Share the list on their poster with the class and display each group's poster on the wall
• Evaluate and conclude which group should get the 'golden ticket'
• Watch the movie, 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' and compare the similarities and differences

What limitations should the teacher consider when using it?

• Some websites in this webquest are not accessible 
• Computer room is needed to do the group work
• Might be better if there are some other tasks to check students' reading comprehension