I think I follow Paolo’s approach to Planning style more than Deniz’s or Erika’s and yes, I have changed my teaching method along the years, like I was more concerned about grammar than communication when I started teaching 30 years ago. I guess that is the way I was taught...I want the students to use the Language first and then help them with hints of how to use it better.
Important qualities in Planning a unit? Relevance but variety too, balance in not doing too much grammar or too many vocabulary exercises, flow is important...you might have a unit perfectly planned for a day and then something comes up or important current news happen...
When I plan a lesson I usually start with the aims and plan lessons in terms...like three units at a time (three terms per schoolyear). I use the coursebook because it is a good one but I also use other sources like the internet. I do not plan in great detail, sometimes I feel like i teach the same to three diferent classes but in a very diferent way, it also depends on the audience.
Advice to a new teacher? Don’t pànic! It always gets better...