Recipes For Teaching
Cooking recipes are a fantastic lesson material and shared resources for language teaching.
Let me begin with a story.
I have a close friend who was high up in a huge Swiss press house. They had books, newspapers, media interests all across the world. China, Germany, USA and so forth.
One day, I asked Thomas what they made their most money from? Sports magazines? Business newspapers? National newspapers? Tabloids? TV?
His reply: “Recipe books”.
Ever since that time, I took more of an interest incorporating and using recipes in my own teaching and classes. I remember fondly teaching LINC classes (Language Instruction to Newcomers to Canada) and every Friday we’d have an international potluck. Students would share dishes from their own countries and explain to everyone how to make them and take questions. It was THE BOMB! Plus, I got to free food - at that time I was a poorly paid teacher and also a runner in need of calories!
So, think about using recipes in your classes, with students. Everyone has their own interest in the topic and can bring something to the table (pun intended)!
Why are recipes so good as a teaching material?
Recipes are very “task based” and real world.
Recipes follow steps, thus, easy to create a lesson around.
Recipes can be very authentic - bring in the ingredients and make them in class!
Recipes offer multiple ways to spin the topic - talk about history, the past, childhood, varieties, geography …
And they create the opportunity for discussion - food is a winner when it comes to socializing and speaking - it relaxes everyone.
Our Lesson Library is filled with recipe focused materials for all teachers! Or see our video lessons.
Here is my fav. and most simple recipe based lesson. How to make a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich! I even use this to assess students - can they communicate the 4 basic steps and explain (using sequential transitions) how to make this famous sandwich - every kid’s favorite?
Other great recipes are spaghetti, toast, omelettes and lots more!
Or try this video based lesson on How To Cook Without A Recipe, from NPR.
Another great lesson idea is to have students fill out their own recipe card, write the recipe in class and then share it as a presentation with the class.
I hope this has got you thinking - get cooking! Also, don’t forget our own sister site - Teaching Recipes! Somewhat related …
