Instructional Classroom Language

VOA Learning English

10 Jan 202308:19

Summary

TLDRIn this educational video, Anna and Caty discuss the crucial aspect of giving clear instructions in a classroom setting. They emphasize the impact of poor instruction on lesson outcomes and offer practical tips for both general classroom management and specific activity guidance. The video covers the importance of planning, using simple language, setting time limits, and employing body language to enhance understanding. They also suggest strategies for ensuring comprehension, such as questioning students and breaking down complex instructions. The engaging presentation aims to help teachers avoid confusion and enhance learning experiences.

Takeaways

📝 Importance of Clear Instructions: A lesson can fail or become confusing if instructions are not properly explained.
👩‍🏫 Tips for Teachers: Even experienced teachers and native English speakers need guidance on giving instructions.
🔑 General Instructions: These are essential for classroom management and include basic commands like 'sit down' and 'be quiet'.
🎓 Activity-Specific Instructions: These are more complex and are used for activities like games or art projects.
🗣️ Practicing Instructions: Before class, practice what you're going to say to increase confidence and clarity.
👂 Ensuring Student Attention: Make sure all students are listening before you start giving instructions.
🕒 Setting Time Limits: Inform students how long an activity will take to manage their expectations and time effectively.
🤔 Breaking Down Instructions: For long activities, break instructions into parts to prevent confusion and information overload.
👯‍♀️ Pairing Students: Use simple language to pair students up or form groups to save time and facilitate activities.
📈 Checking Understanding: Ask questions or check with the whole class to ensure students have understood the instructions.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video featuring Anna and Caty?
-The main topic of the video is about giving instructions in a classroom setting, emphasizing its importance and providing tips on how to do it effectively.
Why is it crucial for teachers to give clear instructions?
-Clear instructions are crucial because a lesson can fail or a class can become confused if an activity is not properly explained.
What is the first type of instruction mentioned in the script that helps manage a class?
-The first type of instruction mentioned is general instructions, which include directives like 'please come in', 'please sit down', 'please be quiet', etc.
How does the script suggest teachers handle instructions for activities?
-The script suggests that teachers should ensure all students understand the activity, plan what they're going to say, and possibly practice it beforehand.
What is advised if the activity instructions are complex?
-For complex activities, it's advised to break down the instructions into parts to avoid confusion and ensure students remember each step.
How can teachers ensure students are listening before giving instructions?
-Teachers can ensure students are listening by getting their attention with a signal or a call to action, such as asking for quiet or using a visual cue.
What is the purpose of providing time limits for activities?
-Providing time limits for activities helps students understand how long they have to complete the task, which is important for managing their time and focusing on the activity.
Why is using simple language recommended when giving instructions?
-Using simple language helps ensure that all students, regardless of their language proficiency, can understand the instructions clearly.
What role does body language play when giving instructions?
-Body language is important when giving instructions as it can help clarify and reinforce the verbal instructions, making it easier for students to follow.
How can teachers check if students have understood the instructions?
-Teachers can check if students have understood the instructions by asking the whole class or individual students to repeat the instructions back or by asking questions about the instructions.
What is the final tip given in the script for giving instructions?
-The final tip given in the script is to use these tips whenever giving instructions to the class to ensure clarity and effectiveness.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Effective Instruction Giving in Classrooms

Anna and Caty discuss the importance of clear instruction giving in teaching environments. They emphasize that even experienced teachers can struggle with this aspect. The video offers tips on managing classes and conducting activities like games or art projects. General instructions are highlighted, such as 'please sit down' and 'please be quiet,' which are crucial for classroom management. The hosts also suggest writing down common instructions and displaying them in the classroom to aid student learning. For activity-specific instructions, they advise planning and practicing what to say to boost confidence and ensure student understanding. The importance of using simple language and providing time limits for activities is also covered.

05:03

🎨 Enhancing Activity Instructions with Body Language

This segment focuses on the practical aspects of giving instructions for classroom activities. It suggests using body language to complement verbal instructions, making them clearer. The video script includes examples of activities like drawing blackbirds and singing songs, emphasizing the need to break down complex instructions into manageable parts to prevent confusion. The hosts also discuss the value of checking for understanding by asking the class or individual students questions about the instructions. The summary ends with a recap of the tips provided and an encouragement to apply them in teaching practices.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Giving instructions

Giving instructions refers to the act of providing clear and understandable directions for completing a task or activity. In the context of the video, it is crucial for teachers to effectively communicate what students need to do during a lesson or activity to avoid confusion and ensure success. The video emphasizes the importance of planning and practicing instructions to enhance clarity and confidence in delivery.

💡Class management

Class management encompasses the strategies and techniques used by teachers to organize and control the classroom environment to facilitate learning. The script mentions general instructions like 'please be quiet' and 'please raise your hand' as part of effective class management, which helps maintain order and focus among students.

💡Activity

An activity in the educational context is a planned task or project that engages students in learning through active participation. The video discusses how to give instructions for activities such as games or art projects, highlighting the need for clarity to prevent confusion and ensure that all students can participate successfully.

💡Confidence

Confidence in this script refers to a teacher's self-assurance in their ability to deliver instructions effectively. It is suggested that practicing instructions before class can increase a teacher's confidence, which in turn can improve the clarity and effectiveness of the instructions given to students.

💡Simple language

Using simple language means employing clear and straightforward terms when giving instructions. The video advises teachers to use simple language to ensure that students can easily understand the tasks at hand, as demonstrated by the example 'Today class we will sing Ring Around the Rosie'.

💡Partners and pairs

Partners and pairs in a classroom setting refer to students working together in teams of two. The script suggests that teachers can facilitate activities by forming pairs or assigning partners, which can enhance collaboration and engagement among students, as shown when the teacher says, 'Okay class now I will put you into pairs'.

💡Time limits

Time limits are the designated durations for completing a task or activity. The video stresses the importance of informing students about the time allocated for an activity, such as 'this activity will take 10 minutes,' to help them manage their work and maintain focus.

💡Body language

Body language consists of the gestures, facial expressions, and postures used to communicate non-verbally. The script encourages the use of body language when giving instructions to enhance understanding and engagement, such as nodding the head or using hand gestures to demonstrate actions.

💡Break down instructions

Breaking down instructions means dividing complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps. The video advises against giving all instructions at once for long activities, to prevent students from becoming overwhelmed or forgetting earlier parts of the task.

💡Understanding

Understanding in an educational context refers to students' comprehension of the material or instructions provided. The video suggests methods for teachers to check if students understand the instructions, such as asking the whole class or posing questions to gauge comprehension, as in 'What are we going to do first? Make a paper airplane.'

💡Readiness

Readiness in a classroom setting indicates that students are prepared and attentive for the activity or lesson about to begin. The script includes phrases like 'Is everyone ready?' to confirm that students are in the proper state of mind and have the necessary materials before starting an activity.

Highlights

Giving instructions is crucial for lesson success and class management.

Even experienced teachers can struggle with giving clear instructions.

General instructions help manage the class, while specific ones guide activities.

Modeling instructions in English helps students learn them.

Writing down common instructions and posting them can aid student learning.

Planning and practicing instructions can boost teacher confidence.

Ensuring all students are listening before giving instructions is important.

Using simple language for instructions makes them more understandable.

Assigning partners or putting students into pairs can save time.

Providing time limits for activities helps manage class time effectively.

Using body language can enhance the clarity of instructions.

Breaking down complex instructions into parts prevents confusion.

Asking questions can verify if students have understood the instructions.

Checking for understanding can be done by asking the whole class or individually.

Tips provided aim to improve instruction giving in the classroom.

Encouraging teachers to apply these tips for better classroom management.