5th May 2008
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I've received a few emails recently looking for materials for lower levels, & in particular beginners. It's true there is little for these levels & we shall endeavor to put up some low level plans. We've had a few past Tips dealing with beginners:
Writing for beginners
http://www.developingteachers.com/tips/pasttips35.htm
The honeymoon is over!
http://www.developingteachers.com/tips/pasttips36.htm
Unlocking beginners
http://www.developingteachers.com/tips/pasttips42.htm
When watching low level lessons I often find myself wondering what it is that makes an effective lesson at this level. Here are a few thoughts:
1. Relevance - choose the language & topics carefully & help them to make progress quickly. This means looking very critically at the coursebook & dumping stuff they're not going to need - all that bedroom vocab for adults! And choose relevant grammar - get onto the past simple fairly soon as with this they can talk about themselves, rather than simply describing their daily routines with the present simple or describing situations with the present continuous. Some coursebooks come round to introducing can/can't after several months! Take control the coursebook rather than the other way round.
2. Pitch - this means anticipating accurately the difficulties the students are going to have with the language & skills work you look at. Put yourself in their shoes.
3. Number of activities - don't overdo it so that you're cramming in activities at the expense of completing them properly. And on the other hand don't spend too long so that you end up doing only one or two activities in the lesson.
4. Variety of activity - variety is the spice of life so get creative & get out of the ruts, the similar procedures you follow.
5. Signposting & continuity - the lessons shouldn't be one-offs, students should be able to see the links - your timetable fit. During the lessons be clear about starting & finishing stages so all can see what's happening.
6. Classroom management - this has got to be as clear as possible. All you ask the students to do hinges around this. Clear instructions are vital. If you have a complicated task to set up, write the instructions out. If your classroom management is confused the students will be dissatisfied.
7. Authenticity & teacher talk - just because the students are low level doesn't mean they need to be talked to as if they are children. Certainly grade your language but try to speak as naturally as possible.
8. Use visual aids to convey meaning. Don't rely on using the students' mother tongue, try to use English as much as possible.
9. Organise their learning - within the lesson be consistent with their study skills. Make sure they go away with a comprehensive record of the new language. Get them to copy down the vocab in their notebooks, together with the part of speech & the word stress - go round & check.
You could say the same for all levels but these are particularly important for low levels. This is just looking at a lesson but don't forget the slightly longer term motivational problems. See the Tip 'The honeymoon is over!':
http://www.developingteachers.com/tips/pasttips36.htm
And, as usual, talk to them about what you do in the lessons - why you do what you do.
What do you think? Any more ideas, please post for all in the Forums at:
http://forum.developingteachers.com/index.php?topic=1540.0
World Red Cross Day is May 8
http://www.developingteachers.com/tips/pasttips66.htm
Do you have an activity or teaching tip that you would like published in the Weekly Tip? Send it in.
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The Weekly Teaching Tip is written by Alistair Dickinson at Developing Teachers.com.
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