Rational for creating a Classroom Magazine.

There are many aspects about a student magazine that makes it a valuable project for language learning

There is a common goal with a clearly defined final product, which allows students to contribute respecting
their ability and interests with obvious motivational benefits. You may have students with different
language proficiency and from different grade careers in your class who would be able to produce pieces
about different issues, thrilled by the opportunity to investigate and discuss topics which they may feel
committed to. And by doing so, we would be engaging students from diverse backgrounds and with diverse
needs.

Magazine text structure is predictable. It is concise and well written. It can become a model for student
writing. Students have a chance to practise a variety of text types - articles, reviews, letters, crosswords,
cartoons, graphs and tables. Furthermore, the potential for communication with a real audience provides
motivation and encourages students to focus on style and accuracy.

The 'four skills' of reading, writing, listening and speaking are integrated naturally. Students who write,
read. Decisions about content stimulate discussion, debate and negotiation and at the same time foster
exploration and discovery.

Project work encourages learner autonomy, co-operation and motivation. Students working together to
achieve a common goal develop social skills as they learn to accept and appreciate differences in others.

Students learn by being involved and such involvement positively contributes to a range of outcomes including
persistence, satisfaction, achievement and academic success (Astin, 1985, 1993; Goodsell, Maher & Tinto, 1992;
Kuh & Vesper, 1997; Pascarella & Terenzini, 2005).

"Research has shown that Project-Based Learning (PBL) is effective in raising motivation, enhancing critical
thinking, and deepening understanding of the subject matter, because PBL emphasizes student-centeredness,
authentic materials and collaborative learning environment".(Sidman-Taveau & Milner-Bolotin, 2001; Thomas,
2000).