One of the ways to encourage your pupils to speak in English lesson is by developing lessons that would engage them. With the right activities, speaking lessons can be both fun and exciting for pupils.. The following is a speaking activity that I carried out recently. It turned out well as I could see the productive skill (Speaking) were being built among students when they attempted to speak throughout the lesson. This task is based on the Full Blast English language textbook page 12.
Preparation
The preparation for this lesson is very simple. All you need to do is prepare cards with the words learnt in the vocabulary section and also the words and phrases given to describe the activities in the pictures ( page 12). I had eight sets with 36 cards in each set. The number of sets you need depends on the number of students in your class. I have 32 students in my form four class and I wanted to put them in groups of four, so I needed eight sets. I printed them in different colours so that it would be easier for me to sort them out if the get mixed up.
Lesson Introduction
Teacher begins the lesson by asking pupils to talk to their shoulder partner about an activity they did the most during the MCO. Then, pupils are then directed to the four activities shown in the pictures (page 12) . Pupils shout out loud the names of the activities and teacher writes them down on the whiteboard. Pupils are then directed to the vocabulary section (page 12) to just look and refresh on the vocabulary learnt previously. They are also asked to look at the list of words given in the box for speaking activity. Teacher explains the unfamiliar words with examples. After the explanation, pupils are then directed to the next activity.
Activity 1
The 'speaking cards' are placed in the middle as shown in the picture above. Before we start the activity, it is better to ask pupils to label themselves as student A, B, C and D. In this activity, pupils are to pick the card from the middle of the table and use the words in the card to describe one of the four activities (video gaming, bungee jumping, painting and American football). Pupils are free to speak on any of the four activities. They are to use simple present tense or present continuous tense only. Once they have spoken, they should not return the card but keep it with them. Pupils take turns to speak until all the cards are taken. At the end of the activity each student should have 4 to 5 cards in their possession (depends on number of cards you prepared).
Activity 2
"Bungee Jumping is a dangerous activity, do you agree with me student B?
Student B should respond by using any of the words she has with her. For example, let's say she uses the word 'thrilling' and she might say ;
" I agree with you to a certain extend but I feel that it is both thrilling and exciting. I would
love to give it a try one day. What is your opinion on this Student C?
Student C might say
" Bungee jumping is too risky, I rather spend my leisure time painting the pictures of nature. It is more relaxing. Do you share the same opinion with me, Student D?
So, the activity continues until all the cards are used up. Pupils are to place the cards to the middle of the table once they have used them. Pupils should also be reminded that they must use one card at a time. If they are unable to respond to their friends, they would miss a turn and the next pupil can answer the question using any of her speaking cards. In this task, students listen to their peers' statements or questions and respond appropriately.
If have tried this activity and I could see that students were able to use all the cards successfully. Students may agree and disagree, ask questions and respond to a question using the speaking cards they have relating to any one of the four activities given for their speaking task.
After completing the second task, students are then directed to the third activity.
Activity 3
Teacher picks one student from each group to redistribute the speaking cards to all the group members. This activity starts with student D. Student D, places one of the cards in the middle of the table and using the word in the card, she talks about one of the four activities that they have been discussing. When student D is done sharing opinion/feeling/fact/question any other group members can respond immediately by placing another card in the middle. The response could be agreeing and disagreeing or simply comparing with another free time activity ( from the four). Pupils continue to respond to one another as quickly as they can. The one who finishes all the cards first will be the winner. This task requires pupils to listen carefully, think and respond immediately to the statements/questions offered.
Please take note that, pupils can only respond using one card, and they need to wait for another person to speak before they could speak again. And if there is anyone in the group who is unable to use all her cards at the end of the activity, she should continue speaking while the rest of the members observe and help her. This activity can also make the class a little noisier as students race with one another to speak.
Activity 4
Students speak to their shoulder partners by referring to the questions given in the textbook (page 12).
Closure
Students write on the exit cards on what went well in their learning today.
Teacher's role throughout the lesson
The teacher observes the task. Walk from group to group and offer help where needed while assessing the students. Also observe students' use of simple present and present continuous tense. The should be using these two tenses and they have learnt them in lesson two previously. This is a place for them to practice the tenses in communication with their peers. Teacher also corrects students where appropriate but should refrain from doing overt correction.
That is all and Happy Teaching!
Interesting! I would like to try with my kids too...tq for sharing.
ReplyDeletePlease try it out and let me know how it went ya
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