| |
Let's pretend that you are talking with a friend in a casual setting. When you mention that you have just finished a module on planning effective lessons, this friend gets curious and asks you a few questions.
Okay. What's so important about lesson planning? Can anything bad happen to you if you don't plan?
Sure. You can wander off track and fail to accomplish the purpose of the lesson. Or you may find yourself in the middle of a lesson without the materials you need. Lots of problems are more likely to occur if you don't plan your lessons well.
Is there any payoff if you do plan your lessons well?
Yeah! Your lessons will go more smoothly, you will feel more confident, your students will probably learn more, and you will have a record of successful teaching activities that you can 'recycle' in future classes. Enough? I could go on and on.
What does a good lesson plan look like? What parts does it have?
Every teacher has his or her own style, but some of the common elements are objectives, materials needed, warm-up or review, presentation, practice, application, summary, and evaluation. You can also include things like contingency plans (in case of emergencies) or a self-evaluation section (to help you become a better teacher).
What's the difference between 'practice' and 'application'?
Well, 'practice' is the part of the lesson when the students get to repeat the new words, or try out a new structure under safe, somewhat controlled, classroom conditions. 'Application' is when they take what they have practiced and try to put it to use in a 'real-world' situation where conditions are less controlled and more realistic.
Have you ever created a lesson plan of your own?
Sure I have. In fact, I did one just recently. Would you like to see it? I'd like to know what you think of it. I can always use some good feedback.
| |