Language that is used is remembered better than language that is heard or read, without the need of using it.I point the mistakes and errors during the activity, at the end of it, or at the end of the lesson, depending on the aim (accuracy or fluency).
I ask students to do self-correction and guide them to become more aware of their own mistakes and errors, so they can correct them themselves.
We use vocabulary and structures that we have studied and we develop confidence and fluency.
We take in what we study using the language in different ways. We practise and repeat because practice is necessary for the correct use of language. Practise makes perfect, doesn't it? Repetition makes us be more aware of the correct use of vocabulary and structures, as well as realising if we have actually taken in what we are studying.
Pair work and group work help us use the language to communicate and connect with others.
A picture, a story, the first letter of a word, an anecdote, or even the use of colours are small ways I use to help students remember what we study.
Listening: We listen to Ted talks, we watch short videos, we listen to songs and to other students.We can practise at home listening to songs, watching TV, Netflix, a film with subtitles in the language you're watching it.
If you have already watched the film or series in your own language, it will help you recognise words, as well as make the link when you watch it in the language you are learning.
Speaking: We talk to each other in class, we express our opinion, we describe pictures or videos, we tell each other what we did at the weekend, we plan an imaginary activity such as an event, a festival, or a party, we decide where to go on holiday and what to take with us.
We ask and answer questions to find out what picture/object/word we are speaking about. We discuss a variety of topics, we debate, we tell stories, etc.
Reading: We work through comprehension and vocabulary questions to check our understanding of texts. We learn how to guess the meaning of vocabulary in context. We read articles, stories, graded readers, leaflets, etc.
Both through speaking and reading we practise pronunciation and fluency.
Writing: We write descriptions of people or things, including pictures. We write stories developed from given words or pictures. We write letters, e-mails, postcards, opinion essays, articles, diary entries, etc.
Grammar and vocabulary: We learn grammar and vocabulary in context, practising through exercises and games, such as defining words, crosswords, correcting sentences and spelling, etc. Play is key to learning from childhood to old age: we discover, reinforce, learn and have fun! Culture: Including cultural lesson, visiting local places, reading about local and national history, as well as current affairs, watching short videos about traditions, doing some research for presentations help us understand why people behave in certain ways, and accept and embrace the differences between the different cultures and nationalities.
Homework / outside the class: More extended reading, listening, research and writing is better done at home, this also gives the student an opportunity to keep using the language outside the class and get more practice.
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