CELTA TP Potholes - Starting a lesson well

Summary

In this video, seasoned educator Jon Conga shares valuable insights on how to avoid common pitfalls when teaching. He emphasizes the importance of starting a lesson well to engage learners, offering tips on effective warmers and lesson openings. Jon highlights the need for connecting with students from the outset, using interesting prompts like images, discussions, and even light competitions. He warns against stretching warm-up activities too long, stressing that the goal is to engage students in the first few minutes without overextending. Practical advice and tips are given for teachers, especially those training on courses like CELTA.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start your lessons with a strong introduction to set the tone for the rest of the class.
• 😀 First impressions are crucial in class, just as they are in everyday life; it helps students feel more engaged and receptive.
• 😀 Avoid starting lessons with nerves; instead, relax, make eye contact, smile, and breathe to connect with your learners.
• 😀 Never start a lesson by immediately diving into difficult material or exercises—engage learners first.
• 😀 Keep the warmer activity connected to the lesson’s theme to maintain focus and flow throughout the class.
• 😀 Pair or group discussions are a great way to engage students early and take the focus off the teacher.
• 😀 Use images and pictures as starting points for discussions—these are easy to find online and can spark curiosity.
• 😀 Thought-provoking questions can serve as great conversation starters, such as asking opinions on current events or hypothetical scenarios.
• 😀 A competitive task can be a fun and engaging way to kick off the lesson, keeping things light and encouraging teamwork.
• 😀 Personal stories or surprises, like showing something unusual or unique, can capture students' attention and make the lesson memorable.
• 😀 Don’t let a warm-up activity overrun the lesson; aim for a brief yet effective introduction to set the stage for the rest of the class.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The main focus of the video script is to provide advice on how to start a lesson effectively, specifically aimed at teacher trainees. The script discusses common mistakes made when beginning lessons and provides tips for creating a positive, engaging start.

Why is it important to start a lesson well?

Starting a lesson well is important because it sets the tone for the rest of the lesson. A good start can help engage learners, make them feel comfortable, and increase their receptiveness to the lesson's content.

What is the concept of 'fatigue communion' mentioned in the script?

'Fatigue communion' refers to the small talk or social interaction people engage in, like talking about the weather, when they meet. It's not necessarily important or meaningful, but it's a way of making social contact and easing into a conversation, which parallels the need for a soft, engaging start in lessons.

What common mistakes do trainees make when starting a lesson?

Common mistakes include being overly nervous and disconnected from learners, stating the lesson aim too directly (such as saying 'we're going to learn the present perfect'), diving straight into exercises, and starting with unrelated warmer activities.

How can teachers overcome nerves at the start of a lesson?

Teachers can overcome nerves by making eye contact, smiling, relaxing their body, and focusing on engaging with the learners like they would with familiar people or friends.

Why should teachers avoid starting a lesson with exercises or directly stating lesson aims?

Starting a lesson with exercises or directly stating the lesson aim can make learners disengage right away, as they may feel disconnected or uninterested. It's better to engage them first with something more relatable and interesting.

What is an effective way to begin a lesson?

An effective way to begin a lesson is to start with an engaging activity that sparks interest, such as paired or group discussions, showing an interesting image, or asking thought-provoking questions related to the lesson.

What role do images and questions play in starting a lesson?

Images and questions are effective tools for starting a lesson because they stimulate curiosity and conversation. Images, in particular, are great for discussion and can quickly grab learners' attention.

What are some examples of competitive tasks to engage learners?

Examples of competitive tasks include time-limited activities like 'how many names of fruit and vegetables can you write down in three minutes?' or 'write down a nationality for each letter of the alphabet.' These tasks can create a fun and energizing start.

How can sharing personal stories help in starting a lesson?

Sharing a personal story or something about the teacher can make the lesson feel more approachable and humanize the teacher. It also helps students connect with the teacher, especially when they are encouraged to share their own experiences or stories.

What caution is given about warmer activities?

The caution is not to let a fantastic warmer activity take up too much time. While it is important to engage learners, it is also essential to keep the warmer short and focused on the goal of getting students relaxed and interested, ideally lasting no more than five minutes in a 45-minute lesson.