Speaking Lesson Plan


Turning Points

Teacher: Jinyan Huang
Date: Oct. 22, 1998
Proficiency Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Age Level: Chinese Adults
Estimated Time of Lesson: 60 minutes

Objectives


Students will be able to:
  1. define "a turning point" in one's life;
  2. identify turning points in their lives which they have experienced or will experience (the first day at school; entering the university; getting a degree; getting married; becoming a parent; etc.)
  3. compare or contrast the life before and after each turning point
  4. decide which turning point is the most important one in their lives.

Materials

Warm Up / Review


Put the previously prepared diagram of the teacher's lifeline up on the blackboard and then ask students such questions as:
  1. How old was I when I started my school?
  2. When did I enter the university?
  3. When did I graduate from the university?
  4. In which year did I get married? ....
    After students' responses, explain to them what a turning point is in one's life.

    Introduction


    Explain that the class will be talking about turning points in their own lives. Ask every student to take out the previously drawn diagram of his own lifeline. Explain that they will be able to identify the turning points in their lives and choose the most important one and explain why.

    Presentation


    Give students an example by talking about the turning points I have experienced and will experience and deciding the most important turning point in my life.
    Have one good student to put his or her own lifeline up on the blackboard and then the class ask him or her such questions as:
    1. How many turning points have you experienced in your life? And what are they?
    2. What are the differences between the two parts of your life before and after you became a university student?
    3. Among the turning points you have already experienced which is the most important one for you?

    Practice


    Have the class split into pairs. In each pair, one student will act as a reporter and interview the other student. Then they exchange the role. They can ask the questions and then answer as we did in the presentation step.

    Evaluation


    Put the 4 pictures of the turning points in one's life up on the blackboard. Ask students to decide the most important one for themselves and try to give reasons.

    Application:


    Ask each student to prepare a 6-minute speech by talking about the turning points in his or her own life after class, and get ready for the speech-making activity for the next class period.

    Contingency Plan


    If students have difficulties in explaining why this or that is the most important turning point, spend more time and try to help them explain the possible reasons.