Language in Action across age demographics!

The rollout of my new language class, Language in Action™, Stuart A Blair, continued in Adelaide, South Australia, presenting French and English language learners with an exciting, innovative methodology using sequential art as the communication medium.

Sequential art is used in language lessons to enhance second language acquisition by incorporating visual storytelling. This method helps contextualise language learning, making it more engaging and memorable.

Language in Action™ is not just a class; it's an interactive experience. Learners can actively understand and retain new vocabulary and language structures by combining images and words. This dynamic approach keeps students engaged and excited about their language journey.

A fun tool used in the masterclass is a View-Master. The View-Master is a vintage tool produced in 1962 that presents three-dimensional images. It has been a popular source for viewing images for learning and entertainment for decades. The medium was the generation's version of what today's generation knows as watching a TV show or film On Demand.

For younger learners, an age-related version of a View-Master is used.

The results of the Language in Action™ class have been stunning. Students across age demographics have been able to create a short story using the target language, showcasing the effectiveness of this innovative methodology.

Stuart can be booked directly from this website to present at your educational institution or event!

Guest Speaker at Firstival, A festival of firsts!

Thanks to the City of Marion Libraries in Adelaide, South Australia, for the invitation to speak at their festival event, Firstival, presenting excerpts of my thesis investigations of la bande dessinée franco-belge, specifically language, context, and stereotypes in period French and Belgian comic book literature and children's stories.

Stereotypes in comics can significantly impact global society by shaping perceptions and reinforcing cultural norms. My presentation included discussions on stereotypes, highlighting how comics reflect and influence societal views, potentially perpetuating stereotypes or challenging them to foster a more inclusive understanding of diverse cultures.

Special thanks to the Event Organiser, Jess Harris, for this beautiful post-presentation testimony!

I look forward to the next stage of my speaking tour in Canberra!

Lights, Camera... Language in Action!

Today's masterclass at Y-Suites, Adelaide, for university students was fantastic!

I launched my Winter linguistic speaking tour, presenting Language in Action™️ Stuart A Blair, an innovative teaching technique incorporating sequential art, language meditation, and drama in second-language classrooms across age demographics!

Thanks to Y-Suites, Adelaide, for the most vibrant venue!

Thanks to Y-Suites, Adelaide, for this excellent post-masterclass workshop testimonial!

Thanks, Stuart, for coming to Y Suites City Gardens and giving us a wonderful presentation with Language in Action™.

I found Stuart’s workshop fascinating, as he incorporated multiple languages alongside English, making it enjoyable for students of all proficiency levels.

We would love to welcome him back again!

Aki Caddy

YCEP Coordinator, Y Suites City Gardens

Stuart can be booked direct from this website to present at your event!

That's a wrap!

The WEA education institution boasts a language program larger than any tertiary institution in Adelaide, with 25 languages on offer, and I'm delighted to coordinate the Constructed language program.

The first class for Conlangs ran from March 16 to April 27, and it was very popular, with a waitlist of students eager to register for the next course commencing in the second half of 2024!

The course analysed constructed languages. It classified them into Auxiliary Languages (Auxlangs), such as Esperanto, Ido and Volapük, and Artistically-Constructed Languages (Artlangs), such as Klingon, Quenya, High Valyrian, and Dothraki, providing knowledge in a language such as greetings; introduction, emotion, and a farewell; unique characteristics; and the influence of the language family on global society.

In the images above, I presented a linguistic workshop, Language in Action ©Stuart A Blair, where students learning a second language created a story sequentially and acted out their adventure using the target language.

Thanks to WEA Education Institution for the wonderful post-course testimony!

I am delighted to provide this testimonial for Stuart Blair and his recently concluded course The Wonder of Klingon! Stuart exhibits expertise, creativity, and dedication to his craft and he not only possesses a deep understanding of linguistic theory but also demonstrate a remarkable ability to translate complex concepts into engaging and accessible lessons.

Arathi Raghunathan

Course Coordinator, WEA Education Institution

Head 'em up, move 'em on!

It was a delight to curate an exhibition at the Adelaide Comic Convention and Toy Fair on April 21. The exhibition explored the languages and linguistics of comics in the Wild West, including la bande dessinée franco-belge, showcasing literature and memorabilia from the early 1900s to the present.

Click through via the above image to the Adelaide Comic and Toy Fair website for information about past exhibitions and event updates!

Comic books are a unique medium that combines illustrations and written words to tell stories that reflect cultural concerns and societal transformations.

Throughout the exhibition, I engaged with language teachers and visitors, discussing the use of language in comics, including context, stereotypes, representations, and controversies, and how they have influenced global society as well as using sequential art, improvisation, and drama as communication mediums in the second-language classroom.

 I look forward to an informative and engaging series of presentations during the next stages of my national speaking tour!