How to teach Beowulf in a Foreign Language High School

Abstract

The thesis is about ways of representing Beowulf, an Old English epic poem, in a Foreign Language High School. One aim of the work is to introduce students to the Old English language and culture through the Manuscript. A series of activities, exercises and quizzes will be presented to students in order to encourage them to study the English language. Students will learn the poem by analysing it in modern English and comparing it to the original Old English version as well. The main purpose of the thesis is to create useful exercises and activities regarding Beowulf for students attending a Foreign Language High School in order to tempt them to study the English language by discovering the importance of Beowulf. Through the teaching of the poem students will expand their English vocabulary by learning new words; they will achieve and increase not only linguistic competences, but also personal skills such as team-work and self-esteem. The thesis is divided into three main parts: Before Reading, While Reading and After Reading with suitable exercises, quizzes and activities for the three sections. In Before Reading students are introduced to Old English and The Manuscript; in While Reading students can experience the reading of some pieces of Beowulf , while in After Reading they are able to discuss the whole poem and draw the appropriate conclusions.