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Unread Aug 3rd, 2009, 04:45 pm
HUE HUE is offline
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Default Re: Tutoring English for Adult Students

All good comments here. I think the key is focusing the lesson, which is applicable to any level of student. The teacher must determine a final, specific objective for the class session.

Let's look at an example. To learn about the past tense is far too vague, and the lesson could easily meander from point to point. It could easily become a series of fun activities that get thrown at the class, but none of which build on one another. However, if the teacher wanted to work on the past tense in the context of past vacations, then the lesson has a clear direction. The teacher will need to specifically cover:

1: Vocabulary
2: Conjugation of the verbs into the past tense
3: Positive statements
4: Negative statements
5: Yes/No questions
6: Wh-questions

Each step builds on previous steps, which allows students to effectively absorb the new material. Students improve accuracy, fluency, and automaticity.

So for a higher-level lesson focus on conversation, they could specifically learn/practice speaking strategies, debate, how to clearly present ideas, etc. Each step of the lesson would allow practice and reinforcement, all leading to the objective of the class session.
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