"Lesson planning course" British Council

Hey, dear teachers!

Effective English lesson planning is a cornerstone of successful language instruction, isn't it? The process of planning lessons involves careful consideration of various elements to create engaging and comprehensive learning experiences for students. From defining clear objectives to choosing suitable teaching methods and materials, lesson planning plays a pivotal role in guiding teachers and students through the language learning journey. I've completed the course "Lesson Planning" from British Council and today wanna highlight the most interesting information with you 😊

Teaching Methods

1. Have you ever heard of the PPP method, where language is presented, practiced, and then produced? While it can be effective, it has its drawbacks, such as students struggling later and overusing certain language structures. But what about other teaching methods?
2. Additionally, the Test, Teach, Test (TTT) method emphasizes learners tackling a task before teachers introduce the target language. After identifying areas of difficulty, teachers guide learners in practicing the new language. Reflecting on these approaches, one can determine which aligns best with the needs of language learners, aiding their comprehension and application of language skills.
3. The task-Based Language Teaching (TBL) approach centers lessons around a central task and allows language to emerge naturally. It has advantages like promoting natural language use and aligning lessons with students' needs.
4. PBL is one more useful method to read about. "Project work with teenagers" is a popular method in English Language Teaching (ELT) that empowers students to collaborate on projects while teachers provide support. This approach enhances motivation, integrates language skills, promotes autonomous learning, and fosters authentic language experiences. However, challenges like the use of students' native language (L1), uneven participation, and varying group speeds can arise. Example projects include book-based explorations and creative music projects, making it a dynamic and engaging way to boost language learning and creativity in the classroom.

PBL shares similarities with TBL, as it revolves around a central topic, facilitates information access, encourages collaboration, and culminates in a final product. In both TBL and PBL, teachers serve as facilitators and monitors, supporting language use without interrupting natural interaction.

Both TBL and PBL offer motivating and authentic learning experiences, These methods bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application, engaging students in real-life situations and promoting higher-level thinking and communication in language learning. In practice, many educators combine TBL, PBL, and traditional methods, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and adaptability in the language classroom to cater to diverse learner needs."

So, considering these approaches which approach do you think offers a more dynamic and communicative language learning experience: TBL, TTT, PPP or PBL?

Key elements of a well-structured lesson

A well-structured lesson typically consists of three key elements: Engage, Study, and Activate.

• Engage: This element aims to capture students' interest and enthusiasm for the topic, setting a positive tone for the lesson.

• Study: Here, the focus is on a specific aspect of language, whether it's grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, revision, or extension of previously learned material.

• Activate: The activation stage encourages students to actively use the language they are studying in practical contexts, allowing them to apply their knowledge effectively.

Warm-Up & Lead-in

Do you know the difference between warm-up and lead-in? 😃 No? Then let's find it out!

In classroom settings, a warm-up is a brief activity that serves as an introduction to the lesson and helps students prepare mentally and physically for what's to come. These activities can be related to the lesson's theme, but their primary goal is to transition students into the subject matter of the lesson. Warm-ups can also be used to review previously learned material, stimulate interest, or briefly introduce a related concept.

On the other hand, a lead-in is a more specific type of warm-up that directly introduces the main topic of the lesson. It is a short activity or discussion that aims to engage students and generate interest or curiosity about the upcoming lesson. Unlike warm-ups, lead-ins are closely related to the lesson's main focus, and their purpose is to set the stage for the topic to be explored in greater depth during the lesson.

So, warm-ups are general preparatory activities at the beginning of a lesson, while lead-ins are more targeted warm-up activities that directly introduce the lesson's main topic. Both help create a positive and interactive learning environment and aid students in transitioning into the lesson's content.

Well:) Was this information useful? 

Do you want to find out some key considerations and tips to make your teaching easier and more interesting? 

Download our workbooks and use them while teaching (link 1: workbook with brief info; link 2: main information about teaching methods)! 

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Good luck!