Chapter 5: Oral & Written Discourse in ESOL Instruction Flashcards
How should a teacher incorporate discourse in her planning?
Plan a variety of activities that will enable your learners to examine oral and written discourse both separately and in combination
How should this lesson content be incorporated:
Worksheets
Writing worksheets can help students visualize and practice English writing techniques; and provide a means for the teacher to assess student ability and progress.
How should this lesson content be incorporated:
Games
Writing and speaking games are a great way to get students socially engaged.
For instance, a game show-style trivia quiz can help students verbally reinforce information
If you use oral or written discourse games, be sure they include specific learning objectives and that every game is followed by a review of the information students learned or practiced.
How should this lesson content be incorporated:
Team activities
Activities, such as group writing exercises or peer-editing, provide students with opportunities to observe and learn from the writing techniques and styles of their peers.
These activities also encourage collaboration and can help students develop brainstorming and revision skills.
How should this lesson content be incorporated:
Interactive or media assignments
These assignments can involve the use of video, audio, or the Internet. For example, students can practice oral discourse by giving short oral reviews or summaries of their favorite movies or albums. Also, written discourse assignments can include students writing mock emails, such as for a job or school application, or paraphrasing website articles.
How should this lesson content be incorporated:
Small group discussions
Group discussions provide a great opportunity for ESOL students to practice the oral discourse skills they’ve learned. Sometimes giving students a general topic and allowing them to discuss their personal opinions can highlight certain language strengths and reveal weaknesses that need to be addressed.
How should this lesson content be incorporated:
Student led tasks
Giving students the freedom to choose their own learning parameters and goals can be beneficial. However, be sure to provide specific guidelines so students know how to frame their ideas. For instance, you could ask students to create oral presentations on their favorite topic or have them write fan fiction based on well-known stories.
As part of your evaluation, consider these 5 review questions:
- Did the students understand the content?
- How did the student react to the material?
- Was the content I used age or level appropriate?
- Did the content lead to a better understanding of oral and written discourse?
- Is the material sustainable?
If not, try to pinpoint what aspects of the content caused confusion and determine ways to reorganize the content appropriately.
As part of your evaluation, consider these 5 review questions:
Did the students understand the content?
If students appear uninterested, liven up the material with visuals and interactive elements.
As part of your evaluation, consider these 5 review questions:
How did the student react to the material?
If you notice students getting lost or losing interest, try reducing or increasing the difficulty of the vocabulary and grammar you are using.
As part of your evaluation, consider these 5 review questions:
Was the content I used age or level appropriate?
If not, how can the material be improved?
As part of your evaluation, consider these 5 review questions:
Did the content lead to a better understanding of oral and written discourse?
Can you imagine successfully using the same content again with another group of students? If not, consider whether the content can be improved or if it should be abandoned.
As part of your evaluation, consider these 5 review questions:
Is the material sustainable?
Varying the frequency and length of oral and written discourse activities can keep students:
Interest and engaged
Effective oral and written discourse instruction for ESOL can be accomplished through a combination of:
Planning, delivering, and reviewing
