Unit 17

UNIT 17 WORKSHEET

Task 1 – How can the teacher use the board to maximum effect?

            For the board to be effective, all board work should be planned and organized ahead of class. This can be achieved by making a board plan on paper beforehand that shows what you intend to have on the board and when. The board should be clean initially and wiped clean at the end. Handwriting should be legitimate and neat so that the students can see easily, even from the back of the room. Use the appropriate writing tool (chalk for blackboard, marker for whiteboard) and section the board into different areas using columns or boxes. Different color markers/chalk can be used to emphasize critical points or exceptions to the rules. Only put essential or requested information while erasing stuff no longer needed. Have students come up and write on the board as well. This will make the class more interactive and engaging.

Task 2 – Imagine you have a video or DVD containing several scenes or comedy sketches. You wish to use one of the scenes/sketches in an intermediate lesson tomorrow.

a) Give an overview of the video you have in mind, and your reasons for choosing it.

            I would like to use scenes from Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995) starring Jim Carrey. It is about a pet detective who has to find a sacred bat for an African tribe, or the tribe will have to go to war. However, the one animal the pet detective fears is the bat.

Jim Carrey is a comical actor, and uses a lot of nonverbal cues such as body movements and props. The plot is interesting and amusing, so the students will pay attention to it. I believe it is at the students’ language level, so it should be comprehensible to the students. They should be able to keep up with it. He projects his voice loud and clear, not monotone.

b) Explain what you would do in preparation for the lesson and how you would use the excerpt:

            I would make sure the classroom has a projector or a television beforehand. If not, then acquire one. Also, I would want to know how to work it and be familiar with the equipment. Afterwards, I would write down the time of the scenes that I would like to use for my class, so I can just zoom to that part. I would rearrange the desks so that everyone can see the TV or projector. If I was using a projector, I would have to make sure that nothing obscures its path.

            I would use the excerpt to have them a summary on it as well as question them on what they got out of the movie. It would give me an opportunity to test and enhance their listening comprehension skills. It would be a perfect way to review animal vocabulary from the previous lesson.

c) Devise an intermediate ESA lesson plan that revolves around the scene or sketch you have chosen. As always, include your aims, context, learner objectives, etc, as well as the procedure, as per the lesson plan outline on pages 6 and 7 of unit 14.

Listening Comprehension Questions

1.     Why would the Wachati tribe and the Wachootoo tribe go to war if the sacred animal is not found?

2.     What is the sacred animal that Ace Ventura has to find? Why was this a difficult task for him?

3.     In the scene where they describe the sacred animal named Shikaka, the Wachati tribe members must bow everytime that name is mentioned. Ace then begins naming things that begin with the sound “shi,” like Chicago. Can you think of some other words that begin with the same sound?

4.     What is one of the tests every Wachati warrior goes through before they can become a warrior?

5.     In the last scene, you find out the actual culprit. Who is it?

Comparison Fill-in-the-blank

A hippopotamus can ___________ as well as a crocodile.

An ostrich is ____________ than a raven, but a raven can fly _________.

A zebra weighs ________ than an elephant.

A bat is ____________ than a lion.

The cheetah is the __________ land animal.

Word Bank: less, smaller, more, fastest, higher, taller, swim

The last exercise would be a word search puzzle of all the animals shown in the scenes. Students would work individually on the puzzle.

Task 3 – Describe how you would use the following pieces of equipment and aids in the classroom:

a)      OHP

I would use an OHP to do activities/tasks together as a class, so that way I do not have to every student a sheet. I could just write it on a transparency and have the students answer on a blank sheet of paper. Also, I can make the corrections and show patterns on top of the transparencies as we do the tasks. It is also useful if the class does not have a course book. I would just make transparencies of the material.

b)      Visuals

I would use a lot of visuals to gain interest from the students, especially during the engage phase since it is very interactive. I would use them to supplement my points and to help prompt discussion. I could have them do current events once a month and bring in the article.

c)      Worksheets

Worksheets would be highly beneficial during the study stage. I would use them to help reinforce what they just learned. It shows how the language point they learned could have some real-life applications. It also helps demonstrate the students’ progress and if they truly understood the language point. Also, worksheets in group work can foster camaraderie that benefits the class as a whole.

d)     Cassette recorder

I would use it to test listening comprehension skills by having them listen to an excerpt and ask questions about it. If the students have to do an oral project, I can record it to later review grammar and pronunciation errors.

e)      Video camera

While students are doing role-play or debates, I would record them and play it back for analysis and discussion. The students would try to highlight the errors while saying things they did like and what was done well.

f)       Computer

Computers have a versatile number of useful applications in the classroom. They could be used to play specially designed EFL CDs or DVDs. They are wonderful reference tools. The students can use CD dictionaries or thesauruses. Computers make it easier to access TEFL materials or to allow students to do research for reports. It can store a lot of information, such as documents or notes about students. Email can allow students to communicate together in English or ask the teacher any question in private. Not to mention that word processors can help present projects and lessons.

g)      Dictionary

Students can use it to correct spelling or learn how to accurately pronounce a word using the phonemic symbols. It will teach them how to use that word and provide an example sentence. I would use it to accompany teaching novel vocabulary.

h)      Course book

It is beneficial to use as a reference for lesson planning. I would use it to get an idea of what language point to teach. Also, I would refer to it for grammar or vocabulary exercises and examples.

i)        Resource book

This can be helpful for adapting, replacing, and supplementing material from a course book. I would probably photocopy some of the activities provided and use it to think of innovative exercises and ideas. It would be a primary database for ideas.

j)        Photocopier

The main usage would be for copying class materials such as worksheets, tests, and articles. Anything I feel that the students should have their own copy of, I would photocopy it.

Task 4 – If you could have only five items of equipment from Task 3 available, which five would you choose?  Give reasons for your choices.

1) OHP- With an OHP, I could just show the students what I want to go over rather than waste paper and time photocopying for every student. An OHP gets the attention of the students more effectively than a worksheet as well. It presents materials to all of the class. Also, I can show portions of it one at a time while I go over the lesson. A worksheet doesn’t allow that.

2) Course book- Students use it to take it home and study from it. It has all the grammar points and an excellent study review for exams. It has been tested through time and specifically targeted for your students’ language level.

3) Worksheets- It can be used to reinforce what they learned and shows how much they progressed. It demonstrates to the students and you if they truly understood the lesson. It is something they can show to their parents and study from.

4) Computer- A computer can replace many of the equipment in Task 3. It has an online dictionary and thesaurus as well as a recorder and media player. You can find valuable resources on the computer and search on the internet for information. In addition, with the high tech world of today, students should be familiar with how to use a computer since many developed and developing countries require the use in most of the careers.

5) Visuals- Visuals make classes interesting and engaging. It diverts the attention of the students to the teacher. It can be used for numerous things, such as prompting conversation and providing additional details. It can inspire creative writing or innovative ideas.