How to Teach English to Beginners: Creating a Full Lesson

Summary

This instructional video outlines 'The Five Points' methodology for effectively teaching beginners a language. It emphasizes the importance of structuring lessons around real-life communication, using a set of related questions to elicit vocabulary and grammar practice. The method involves careful planning of vocabulary, elicitation and drilling of language, and gradual progression to free dialogue. The script provides practical examples and tips for teachers to ensure students can converse confidently without notes, fostering a sense of achievement and fluency.

Takeaways

• 📝 The Five Points method is a structured approach to teaching beginners, focusing on real-life communication and vocabulary usage.
• 📚 Start by planning 3-5 topical and grammatically consistent questions that beginners can use to converse without notes.
• 🗣️ Use authentic language for the questions to ensure they sound realistic and are similar to what students would naturally use.
• 🔍 Extract all necessary nouns, verbs, adjectives, and other parts of speech that will be used in both asking and answering the questions.
• 📈 Begin with teaching and practicing vocabulary through visual cues, drilling, and gap-fill exercises to ensure mastery.
• 💬 Elicit and practice the answers to the questions before moving on to the questions themselves to build confidence in students' responses.
• 🔄 Introduce questions after practicing answers to avoid confusion and ensure students understand what is being asked.
• 👥 Practice asking and answering questions in pairs or groups to simulate real-life conversations.
• 🔑 Emphasize the importance of speed, contractions, and natural language to make the conversation flow smoothly.
• 📝 Provide written exercises after speaking activities to reinforce learning and test comprehension.
• 🎯 The methodology allows for clear progression and identification of areas needing more practice, offering flexibility in teaching.

Q & A

What is the name of the methodology discussed in the video?

The methodology discussed in the video is called 'The Five Points'.

Why is it recommended to watch the previous videos in the series before this one?

It is recommended to watch the previous videos because the current video references information from them and builds upon the concepts introduced in those videos.

What is the main goal of teaching beginners according to the video?

The main goal of teaching beginners is to end lessons with real-life communication, where students can ask and answer questions without the use of notes.

How many questions should a beginner class focus on according to the methodology?

A beginner class should focus on about three to five questions.

Why is it important for the questions in a beginner class to be topical and related?

It is important for the questions to be topical and related to ensure that they make sense in a real-life conversation and to help students practice using language in a realistic context.

What is the significance of using authentic language in teaching beginners?

Using authentic language helps beginners learn phrases and expressions that are naturally used in real-life situations, making the language they learn more realistic and useful.

What is the first point of 'The Five Points' methodology?

The first point of 'The Five Points' methodology is to teach and practice vocabulary, ensuring students know the words they need to ask and answer questions.

Why is it not recommended to start by asking students questions in a beginner class?

Starting by asking students questions is not recommended because if they don't understand the question or haven't practiced answering it, they will be unable to respond effectively, leading to confusion.

What is the purpose of practicing the whole dialogue in point four of the methodology?

The purpose of practicing the whole dialogue in point four is to help students put together all the parts they have learned, with a little guidance, to prepare them for the final role play without notes.

How does the methodology ensure that students are ready for real-life speaking at the lowest level possible?

The methodology ensures real-life speaking by focusing on practice, drilling, and variable substitution, gradually building up to a point where students can ask and answer questions without notes and even incorporate their own language.

What are the two main benefits of using 'The Five Points' methodology according to the video?

The two main benefits are that it pushes real-life speaking at the lowest level possible and provides clear structure for the teacher, making it easy to identify and address any issues during the lesson.