This unit mainly talks about the different activities
and tasks teachers can use with learners for developing their language and language
skills. These designed activities give learners more opportunities to practice
and improve their use of language such as in vocabulary, grammatical structures,
or subskills.
The teacher should decide which activity is better for their learners. For
example, if the teacher considers they need more practice on form he/she could design
activities that promote controlled
practice such
as copying words, practice choral/ individual drills, or make them just replace
key words in sentences using transformational drills. All of these activities are usually
known as controlled activities
because they give learners lots of guidance and support in using language accurately,
and help them to make just few mistakes with language. In contrast, if the
teacher thinks that his learners need to use language for communication, he/she
can opt for the free activities
because they focus more on fluency and give learners practice on recalling
information, and interacting with others. They are free because learners can
use whatever language they wish to complete a task. Examples of free activities
are: discussions, rank
ordering, writing emails, letters, and so forth. Between these two activities,
we have the freer activities. They
are a combination of both because they do not focus neither too much on form
nor on fluency. There is a balance here because students can receive a little
guidance and support and also they can integrate their ideas and language as
they wish in their activities. Some examples of freer activities are: information-gap activities,
role-plays and surveys. There are
other activities that can help learners develop language skills such as multiple
choice questions, true/false,
jigsaw reading, table completion and others.
In my teaching process, I would apply this knowledge
in different ways. I would try to add variety in my lessons
since it will help my learners to be motivated and more interested in learning.
When I say variety, I mean to use different activities in each lesson. For
instance, one day I can use controlled activities for teaching the perfect
simple. So, learners will have to complete series of exercises about grammar.
Another day, I can use freer activities
in which they have to write an essay guided by certain parameters established
by the teacher and according to their own experiences. Other day, I can use free activities such as make them
prepare postcards about “Halloween” in groups and expose them to the class. As
a conclusion, teachers have to decide whether to use controlled, freer or free
activities the classroom after carefully analyzing what their learners´ needs
or preferences are and what skills or topic they want to teach that day.
I share you some links with information about different practice activities
teachers can use in the classroom. Some are controlled, free and others freer
activities.
Goo job Gaby...
ReplyDeleteI liked the way you summarize the unit because it reflects your deep understanding and knowledge. It really helps me to understand better through the examples and websites you included.