Sticker Chart “Around the World”

English learning can take time for Students（＝Ss）to feel concrete results. A sticker chart helps Ss see their efforts in a tangible way, giving them motivation at times when it may be lacking.
As a private English school teacher, I give a sticker just for coming to class as Ss often come tired after a long day at school. A sticker should never be the main motivation of coming to lessons. Remember that learning should always fun and rewarding in itself, however stickers are always fun especially when you are travelling around the world!

About the Chart

There are 42 flags;
The chart is designed to visit various regions around the world;
Country names are in both English and Japanese;
It is made from durable paper and fun to use. (Follow the dotted lines!)

Chart Usage in YELLOW HOUSE (By Kierryn sensei)

・I give a sticker just for attendance;

・I give double stickers(2) for birthdays (to all students in the class not just the birthday student);

・I give 5 stickers for students who take the Eiken test (even if they fail);

・I don’t give extra stickers for any other reason- this way the sticker keeps its value (You can decide when to give a sticker);

・I give stickers at the end of the class and it is placed under each flag;

・At the end of the chart, I give a small reward- never anything expensive- but more token. I then give the child another chart- and their trip starts all over again!

About the World Map

This map has been created for all levels elementary school Ss who are using “Around the World Sticker Chart” and speak Japanese as their first language, however are not yet fluent readers of English.

The map has been created to:
1. be large and visually stimulating, yet also provide real information about the world in which the Ss live;
2. provide enough information to Ss to encourage self-learning about other countries and cultures outside of class time;
3. encourage Ss to want to “see or visit other countries when they grow up”;
4. list major cities that are on the news or in elementary and junior high school English textbooks and assist in Ss understanding where these places are in relation to Japan;
5. foster an interest in English language learning;
6. be used as a wipe free map (can be written on with a whiteboard marker) ;
7. show a different style of map to which they may be accustomed to seeing (Japan is not in the middle);

Using “Explore the World” Map in English “Small Talk”or“Chit Chat” activities.

This map has been designed to have strong focus on colorful pictures and drawings that trigger interest in children about the world around them. Teachers can use this interest as a conversation starter, or a warm-up for English conversation. It is for this reason that the map should be displayed in place where it is easily seen by Ss.
We can use the map as a starter for “Where do you want to go?” style topics and gradually expand the conversation to places they have visited, foods they have tried and other personal experiences. Another teaching strategy would be choosing one picture or detail on the map and use the internet to help explore the topic in English with Ss. This provides visual stimuli to Ss while filling in any comprehension gaps that may be experienced with any new topics visited. For weekly English classes, teachers should always revisit the same topic the following week to help concrete new learning and vocabulary.

Topic Examples:
・Whales/ sharks/ dolphins – types, what they eat, where they live, etc.
・The Northern Lights: Where you can see them, best time of year, different colors, etc.
・Cruise Ship: Cruise ships from around the world, famous cruise ships and what they look like inside, features, etc.
・Clocks: study time zones using the play clocks and different cities names, etc.
・Pirates: Look up famous pirates on the internet, both fiction and non-fiction!

About the Author

Kieran Raoul (B.Ed.) is an English teacher who currently teaches in Japan and has had extensive teaching experience in all levels of the Japanese education system (kindergarten ~ university) as well private English schools and cram schools all over Japan.  He currently runs his own private English school for children from the ages of 3~15 years of age.

2005年のスクール設立時より15年間Learning World シリーズを使用。年少から小学生は300人以上。日本の英語教育に精通し、幼児から中学生までを自身が教えている。10年一貫教育をめざし、年齢に合った4技能の力の付け方を試行錯誤する中で子供達個々によって到達点を変える独自の指導スタイルを確立。2020年10月～2021年3月、初の全5回LWスキルアップセミナー講師を担当。のべ720人の先生方が参加。2021年春、Classroom Solutionsという新ジャンルの「教材としても使えるアイテム」を発表。