Development of Activities and Materials:
Read the descriptions of the two teaching contexts and refer back to them when answering the questions in Part-1. For these questions in Part-1, indicate clearly which of the two contexts you have in mind. Simply write Context-A or B at the beginning of your answers.
Note: For part-1, make sure that you describe the setting of your teaching situation. Include the age, proficiency level, and backgrounds of the students, and why they are studying ESL or EFL. If you are not currently teaching, use one of the below contexts (A or B), and also indicate which context you are using A or B.
Context-A:
This is a class of 14 students from Thailand visiting a North American university for a 6-week ESL program. The students are between 16 and 19 years old. The students are at an intermediate level and have studied English throughout high school. The students’ oral skills are generally weak relative to their grammar, writing and reading. The students realize that they particularly need to improve their weak areas, and they are keen to do so.
Context-B:
This is a group of 10 adult immigrants who are studying English in North America. All of these students are literate in their first languages, which are Spanish, Chinese, and Polish. They range in age from 20 to 50.The class started 3 months ago, when the students were relative beginners. They are now operating at a high-beginning level. The class meets 5 hours a day, 5 days a week. Most students have been in North America for less than one year. The students are anxious to improve their English quickly so that they can settle into life in North America, and help their children to become comfortable also.
Question-1: What are drills useful for? Write one brief substitution drill to practice question formation or to practice making polite requests. Include four substitutions. Print it as you would on the chalkboard.
Question-2:
(a) Write a short dialogue for speaking practice related to a restaurant situation, or other situation or function relevant to your chosen teaching context.
(b) Then, extend your dialogue as a discourse chain or cue card dialogue. Show the exact form and wording of your discourse chain or cue card.
(c) Describe another related activity that involves one of the following materials: a worksheet; a game; a song; a written text; audio; or videotaped material.
Part II: Tailoring Materials to the Setting
Question -1: Describe three ways in which you can adapt or supplement textbook material, and the purpose of each of the adaptations.
Question-2: What is the role of authentic materials?
Question-3: You are teaching a unit on “Stress and Relaxation” to a group of high beginning adult students with a limited vocabulary. You have decided to simply an article on worry for them .Simplify the following excerpt.
“As simple as it sounds, exercise is the best natural anti-anxiety agent we have. Exercise reduces tension, drains off excess aggression and frustration, enhances well-being, improves sleep, curbs the tendency to overeat, aids in concentration, and reduces distractibility. It is healing to the body, and therefore, to the mind.
Getting exercise at least every other day should be part of your plan to reduce anxiety and control worry.”
Part III: Instructional Material
Question-1 What can a textbook usually provide more easily than teacher-developed materials?
Question-2:
(a) What are three specific types of software programs and what are the benefits of each type of program?
(b) What are the main areas of concern with CALL?
(c) Give two examples of activities students can do with the internet or worldwide web.
Question-3: What are key visuals? Choose a common topic or theme that you would expect to teach in an elementary school class (e.g., animals, transportation, habitats, a figure from history).Develop a semantic map related to the topic as one type of key visual.
Question-4: You have been asked to write a review of an EFL textbook for K-6 students. What five key areas will you focus on in reviewing the text? Describe how a good K-6 book should address each area.