Uni 2: Discussion topics

[Cati]

1- I think my planning style is more similar to Paolo's, I try to get a balance of activities. However, I usually plan a speaking activity or game in each lesson, I teach adults and this is usually their weakest skill.

2- When I'm planning a unit of work, I try to include a variety of activities that allow students to practice the different skills. I also think it's important to take relevance and logic into account.

3- I normally plan one lesson at a time and I use the course book a lot, there is a lot of useful material on it and it helps students in their learning process, since they have a guideline to follow and this makes them feel more confortable. I don't usually plan everything in detail, I make a scheme of what the aims of the lesson are and I improvise depending on the dynamics of the students.

4- Firstly, I would recommend him/her to focus on the aims of the lesson. Secondly, I would tell him/her to use a variety of activities. Finally, I would encourage him/her to work together with his/her workmates, they probably have much experience and they can help him/her.

[Admin]

Sounds good Cati! Variety is definitely a good thing as is practising the different skills in one lesson. Although some skills are more usefully practised in the class room than others. For example reading: this is a solitary activity and it seems a shame to use valuable class time for it. Students can do the reading on their own at home, so then there is more time for speaking, which is something they can't do alone..