Teaching English with Matisse: speaking activities for the language class

TEACHING ENGLISH WITH matisse

Speaking Activities Based on Matisse Paintings

By JORGE SETTE

Blog: LINGUAGEM: www.jorgesette.wordpress.com

Correlated to the common european framework of

reference

Suggested questions based on the paintings are meant as a guideline for revision of grammar, vocabulary and functions. We indicate the language level based on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

Matisse, Henry Harmony in Red

1908

CEFR – A1

•  What can you see in this picture? Use there is/there are.

•  Name all the colors you see.

•  Tell us all the words you associate with the color RED.

•  What do you like about this picture?

•  Describe a typical day in this woman’s life.

•  There is a party at her house tonight. What is she going to do to organize it?

•  What do you like to do when you go to a party?

CEFR – C1

•  What do you think about this painting?

•  What’s your favorite painter? Why?

•  This woman is throwing a party tonight. Tell us a funny story about a party you went to (think and plan what you are going to say for 10 min, make notes if necessary)

•  How do you feel about parties in general? How do you like Carnival balls?

Matisse, Henry The Painter’s Family

1911

CEFR – A2

•  Describe the picture.

•  Name all the pieces of furniture you can see in the room (turn this into a contest: pairs or groups: students write the words down first)

•  Tell us what each person in the scene is doing.

•  What’s your favorite room in your house? Why?

•  Describe one person in the painting (the other students try to guess who it is at the end of the description). Extend the game: students describe their classmates).

CEFR – B2

•  Make sentences like these (based on the picture): When the woman in black got in the room, the boys were….ing. While the boys were …ing, the woman was…ing.

•  What does the message the woman is carrying say?

•  Do you you think she is a maid? Do you have a maid? Do think this is right? Why?

•  What does your maid usually do? If you don’t have one, what do they often do in other people’s houses?

Matisse, Henry. The Conversation

1908-1912

Cefr – a1

•  What can you see in the picture?

•  What colors can you see in this painting? Do you like them?

•  Where are these people?

•  What are they doing?

•  Ask your partner anything you want to know about the man (pair work: partner makes up suitable answers)

Cefr - b2

•  Tell us about the relationship between these two people.

•  Imagine their history together and tell us.

•  Write down the dialogue that is taking place right now between these people. Then act it out with your partner.

•  The woman says: I wish you hadn’t gone to bed so late last night. What else would she complain about. Use I wish you had/hadn’t. If you had…

Matisse, Henry The Ballet Dancer, Harmony

in Grey 1927

CEFR – B1/B2

•  Describe the painting. How do you like it?

•  What is the woman like?

•  Do you have anything in common with this woman? What?

•  Imagine all the things this woman did yesterday. Now tell us about her activities.

•  What do you like to do in your spare time?

cefr – c1

•  Imagine what this woman’s life is like. Tell us about it. We want to hear all the gossip and details (name, job, dreams, aspirations, history, fears, love life…)

•  What’s your favorite fictional character (from a movie, book, TV show, play). Tell us about him/her. Why do you like him/her so much?

•  Think of a celebrity (the other students try to guess who the person is by asking YES/NO questions)

•  (suggestion: play the movie BLACK SWAN directed by Darren Aronofsky, and continue the discussion on art, ambition, celebrity)

Matisse, Henry. Music 1939

Cerf – a2

•  Describe the scene.

•  What is the relationship between these women?

•  Tell us what they usually enjoy doing on the weekend.

•  Can you play any musical instrument?

•  Can you do anything special?

•  What is your favorite kind of music? Why?

•  Tell us about your favorite singer or band.

cefr – b1

•  The woman on the left can’t play or sing. She has some regrets. Express them. Use I should have; I should not have; If I had…

•  Write a dialogue between these two women. Then act it out with your partner (pair work).

•  Famous musicians are usually well-off. What would you do if you were a famous singer/musician? Give us a lot of details.

Thanks!

JORGE SETTE

www.jorgesette.wordpress.com

Twitter: @jorgesetteELT