Page 37 - ELG2503 March Issue 493

INTERVIEW

Q: What’s your role in your creative called ‘Afendoulis and his friends are and provided them with a set of creative
writing course? travelling to London’ (Diania Publications). writing activities to promote the development
My role in the process is to guide my students, It’s a 75-page book for children over of mediation skills.
not to give them answers. I provide constant seven-years-old. The activities were all based on the
support and assistance, which makes the It tells the story of Afendoulis, an eleven- storyline of my book as its cultural content
program neither overwhelming nor tiring for year-old boy, who leaves his Greek village allows teachers to create tasks that motivate
them. I always try to adapt the content of to go to a summer school in Britain with kids to put pen to paper. That’s another
the course to my students’ needs, ages, and his two best friends. There they have the creative way I’ve found to help students
expectations. opportunity to speak English, their favourite improve their foreign language learning skills
I want the program to be as smooth as it foreign language, and meet peers from all over and competencies.
can, so I try to create materials and worksheets the world.
that make learning as easy as possible for my Readers will get to know about the
students. I want to help my learners broaden attractions in London and Scotland. A kid has Chara Kourlessi is an English
their horizons. I teach English through the lens recently told me the book made him feel as if language teacher, published
of art, and I do whatever I can to make my he had travelled there, which was so exciting author and award-winning
course feel like an exciting trip for my students. for me to hear. I’m so glad I helped a kid travel screenwriter who lives in
to a place he had never physically been to! Athens, Greece. In 2023 and
Q: Do you feel your students learn more 2024, Chara participated in the writing of
in this way? Q: Why did you write ‘Afendoulis the European Commission’s annual digital
They definitely improve their language skills. and his friends are travelling to books about the future of adult education in
That’s the primary goal of the program. They London’? member states. You can learn more about
boost their vocabulary and grammar, and I wrote it to promote a multicultural and Chara at linktr.ee/chara_kourlessi
they really enjoy the whole process. They’re multilingual spirit as well as essential
so excited and dedicated! They always make human values such as gratitude, kindness, Fabio Cerpelloni is many
serious efforts to excel. Parents have shown and empathy. I believe exposure to things: a writing teacher, a
great enthusiasm, too, and they’re eager to let literature helps children grow emotionally freelance writer, a blogger,
their children participate in the program. and build resilience in developing their a ghostwriter, an author,
own mindsets. an English language tutor,
Q: You’ve also written books for children The fictional material included in my a YouTuber, and a podcaster. You can
in Greek. Can you tell us a bit about book can also help my colleagues and foreign learn more about him and his work at
those, too? language schools improve their students’ www.fabiocerpelloni.com. Feel free to email
Yes, I’ve written three literature creative writing skills. I’ve recently given him any time and say hello!
books for children. My third one is a presentation to Greek teachers of English

Readers

Over 125 non-fiction levelled

readers for ages 3–11

Q Q

Power up non-fiction reading skills and knowledge
to help children become reading superheroes!

• Provide young English language learners with
exposure to authentic, real-world content
• Immerse students in language learning and develop subject
vocabulary as kids explore the exciting world of dinosaurs,
animals, natural wonders, and more
• Find the right titles for your students with titles mapped to the
CEFR and help build confidence with carefully levelled content
• Build contextual knowledge while progressing reading skills Q
and developing a love for reading
Q Discover more online!

Find out Follow the QR code on the back cover to find free Super
Reader resources, including comprehension quizzes to
more boost understanding and foster critical thinking skills.

editorial@elgazette.com 37