BOOKS RECOMMENDATIONS
Elementary Communication Games - J.Hadfield (Nelson)
Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0175556954/developingt
Amazon.co.uk:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0175556954/developingt
Amazon.ca:
http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/0175556954/developteac
Teach Business English - S.Donna (CUP)
Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0521585570/developingt
Amazon.co.uk:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0521585570/developingt
Amazon.ca:
http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/0521585570/developteac
Teaching Children English: An Activity Based Training Course -
D.Vale & A.Feunteun (CUP)
Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0521422353/developingt
Amazon.co.uk:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0521422353/developingt
Amazon.ca:
http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/0521422353/developteac
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iMINDMAP
Excellent software from Tony Buzan, the inventor of the mind map.
To download the trial version of the excellent mind mapping
software & to find out more:
http://www.imindmap.com/developingteachers/
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ONLINE DEVELOPMENT COURSES @ DEVELOPINGCOURSES.COM
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TEACHING TIP
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Lower levels
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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 for me 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
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World Red Cross Day is May 8:
http://www.developingteachers.com/tips/pasttips66.htm
Keywords: activities, authenticity, beginners, classroom management, lower levels, pitch, relevance, signposting, study skills, teacher talk, variety