See the original post: WASHZ’s Magical Language Learning Journey
True literary classics possess the power to transcend time and space. In the 30 years since Harry Potter’s debut, this boy with round glasses and a lightning scar on his forehead has become a cherished memory in countless childhoods.
Recently, WASHZ held Harry Potter Week, involving the entire upper school, lower school, and kindergarten. All pupils and teachers were immersed in a magical campus, experiencing the extraordinary charm of this literary classic.
Emily Frazier, Upper School Head of Language and Communications, mentioned that the reason for choosing Harry Potter for the theme week was precisely because of its enduring vitality. The magical world has an unparalleled appeal to pupils of every generation, keeping them engaged and excited.
In Lower School and Kindergarten science classes, even without the Half-Blood Prince’s notebook, pupils could use their scientific knowledge to concoct potions of various colours.
In the kindergarten, Richard Bumford, Executive Head of Upper School, read Harry Potter picture books to the pupils.
This might be the first time these young pupils have heard of Harry Potter through the activities, but such classics have the magical power to attract readers from generation to generation into their enchanting world.
Ms Frazier has a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and History from the University of Oxford, complemented by a Master of Education degree from University College London. As a member of the English language teaching staff, she especially values the language learning opportunities that Harry Potter Week provides.
Ms Frazier mentioned studies that suggest novels and stories can enhance language skills, particularly vocabulary and reading ability, more effectively than non-fiction works.
Additionally, Lower School and Upper School incorporated project-based learning using the famous newspaper from the magical world, the “Daily Prophet,” as a theme. Pupils were required to collaborate in groups to conduct themed research related to Harry Potter and write summary reports.
In WASHZ’s IGCSE and A-Level curriculum, English language and English literature is central. For IGCSEs, the school offers three core compulsory courses: English as a First Language, English as a Second Language, and English Language and Literature. At A-Levels, we also offer English Language and Literature courses and IELTS. Moreover, many humanities and social science courses, such as psychology, history, and sociology, require pupils to have a solid foundation in language skills.
In the highly engaging learning process during Harry Potter Week, pupils’ autonomy was greatly stimulated as they carefully read the original texts and engaged in deep discussions with their group members. Each piece of work reflected effort and focus, helping them improve their writing and communication skills.
Harry Potter Week culminated in a grand ‘Magic Assembly.’ Although the world of magic only exists within the realm of literary fiction, the imagination it inspires is real and enduring. In finding a passion for reading and literature through this unique immersive learning process, pupils inspired creativity and excitement, deserving our encouragement and applause.
There will be countless such “Platform 9¾” encounters in the future, each leading to a completely different world. Facing the future, the pursuit of knowledge and the courage to explore are the world’s real magic.
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