Creativity in the English lesson. An Overview

Abstract

One of the teachers` roles is to develop the students` creativity. For that we need to have at our disposal a set of methods and techniques. The present study starts with a simple definition of creativity followed by means of measuring students` creativity, inhibiting factors of students` creativity and methods for developing students` creativity. Creativity can be defined through its elements: fluency of ideas, flexibility in thinking and originality. We can measure students` creativity through the following criteria: connections, originality and nonrationality. The methods that proved to be most effective in my teaching experience are: brainstorming, exploring imagination, creative writing, cooperative writing and involving students in school contests.  The study presents all the above-mentioned methods together with examples from my own experience. The study ends with means of rewarding the students` creative behaviour and conclusions.