Table of content
🎯 Pedagogical Intention
Objective : Offer short and engaging activities that will allow students to discover National English Day. They will then be able to talk about it using various digital tools. Students will also gain an understanding of the global reach of the English-speaking community.
👀 The Context
On April 23rd, we celebrate International English Language Day, a special occasion that highlights one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. English is spoken by millions of people across every continent—whether for travel, work, study, singing, or even video games!
But did you know this day wasn’t chosen at random? It is celebrated on April 23rd in honour of William Shakespeare, one of the greatest writers of all time, who significantly enriched the English language through his plays and poems.
This day is not just about studying grammar or vocabulary. It also celebrates cultural diversity, creativity, and the idea that English connects us with people from all around the globe.
💡 Activity Suggestions
☝️ Activity 1: English Around the World!
Activity Description : Complete a series of digital quizzes to help students better understand the importance of the English language around the world. The influence of English on the global stage is undeniable. However, it is essential to ensure that students fully grasp its omnipresence and subtleties. The activities below will allow each educator to assess and test students’ knowledge on this topic .
a) Introduction
Using a mobile device or a computer, students will be able to submit their answers in the format you choose (multiple choice, word cloud, open responses, etc.). The results will be displayed instantly on the screen.
Methodological Considerations:
If you do not have access to the required digital devices, the activity can be carried out entirely on paper, for example using post-it notes or keywords written on the board by students or by yourself.
To help gather student opinions, here are two suggested questions you may ask orally or in writing:
QUESTION 1: Do you generally enjoy speaking English?
QUESTION 2: In one word, what does using the English language mostly evoke for you?
QUESTION 3: What are your English-language references in each of the following areas?
Import this activity into your Wooclap account:
Here is the code that will allow you to quickly import the Wooclap exercise described above into your own account: ENDAY.
You can enter this code from the homepage once you are logged in, using the “Import an event” tab.
Alongside the various responses submitted, ask your students what led them—collectively—to share these particular answers:
- Does English play an important role in your lives?
- Why did you choose to share these specific keywords in the word cloud?
- Would anyone like to explain one of their answers in more detail?
Confronting Preconceptions About the English-Speaking Community
Before starting the first quiz, introduce the topic with a short video to help students reflect on their current views about the English-speaking world.
🎬 Video to use (for secondary level):
👧 Want to adapt it for a primary class? Try this one instead:
🧠 To check students’ understanding, here’s a ready-to-use BookWidgets activity:
🔗 https://www.bookwidgets.com/play/hmbVeDvH-iQAFQoJxLgAAA/NGQFSN8/scoop-national
📊 Prefer using another quiz platform like Kahoot or Quizizz?
You can directly import the following Excel files to create your quiz:
- ✅ Multiple-choice questionnaire:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1GWOwJHjT-hk86y4o_pH8c3VJ816kQlNp/edit?usp=sharing - ✍️ Open-ended questions:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1n6rBeFULjMsRosZdDGEa-uKIr0ZM2o-y/edit?usp=sharing
Conclusion
Wrap up the activity by reviewing the key moments from each step and by inviting students to share their final thoughts.
☝️ Activity 2: English-Speaking Countries Around the World
Activity Description : Students will complete various LearningApps exercises to enhance their understanding of the global English-speaking community.
a) Introduction
Begin by asking students to name different English-speaking countries. Then, have them estimate the number of countries that are part of this community worldwide. Next, show them a video that presents English-speaking countries around the world:
🎬 https://youtu.be/D-V0iFPFt5U?feature=shared
Ask students whether they were surprised to see certain countries on the list and if they expected other countries to be part of the English-speaking world.
b) Completing the LearningApps Exercises
👤 Individually:
Each student uses their own device to complete the activity.
After everyone finishes, the teacher goes over the answers collectively to provide feedback and explanations.
🧑🏫 Collectively:
The teacher presents the activity to the whole class.
Students react orally, and the teacher may invite them to come up to the board and take turns answering the questions.
Game 1 : https://learningapps.org/view40138721
Game 2 : https://learningapps.org/view40138786
c) Summary
After completing the first two steps and the interactive exercises, gather the information and impressions shared by the students. You can lead a group discussion or ask them to write short reflections.
Here are some guiding questions:
- What did you learn about the English language during these activities?
- What piece of information surprised you the most?
- Has your perception of the English language changed? If so, how?
This reflection helps students consolidate their knowledge and become more aware of the global importance and diversity of the English-speaking world.
🚀 Other Ideas to Explore
a) Watch a video without distractions
Throughout this guide, various YouTube videos are suggested for students. However, the platform includes numerous ads and content that may distract their attention.
To help students stay focused on the educational aspect of the videos, consider using a tool like Digiview. This solution allows you to stream videos in a distraction-free, clean, and secure environment.
To learn more about the tool, watch this short presentation (in French):
🔎 To Learn More
Days Of The year
English Language Day (April 23rd)
La Presse / l’importance de l’anglais dans le monde
Le vrai défi de la question linguistique
Radio-Canada / Parler anglais
Pour de jeunes francophones, parler anglais fait partie de leur identité
RTBF / Importance de l’anglais dans nos sociétés
Pourquoi le monde parle-t-il anglais et non français ?
Pourquoi apprend-on l’anglais à l’école?
https://www.arte.tv/fr/videos/121154-000-A/pourquoi-apprend-on-l-anglais-a-l-ecole/
🔎 Useful Tutorials
Utiliser Wooclap
Tutoriel branché 1 : Utiliser Wooclap
Utiliser Wooclap (chaîne tutoriels)
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwsiSyjg8LpRfDGJ1OiKlc-9iSaXXmuYb&feature=shared
Créer un quiz en s’aidant d’une IA
Créez un KAHOOT (ou autre quiz) en 5 minutes avec l’IA ! Perplexity, chat GPT…
Créer un quiz avec Kahoot
COMMENT CRÉER DES QUIZ AVEC KAHOOT ? (Tutoriel / Français) English Language Day (April 23rd) | Days Of The Year
