Notes from every training session
1. After our session on Thursday 9th November, I have included the guidance for giving clear instructions, and concept checking below. Please read the following:
Giving clear instructions:
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Task before text. Explain the activity before giving the handout. Students will not listen or look if you give them something to read;
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Try to speak in short sentences, using simple language. Less 'blah blah blah from the teacher means more learning!
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Empathy. Imagine how your students feel when listening to you;
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Plan your instructions, write them down, proof-read them;
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How will you get the students focused? Wait until everyone is listening;
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Use direct, informal language;
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Eye contact with the whole class. You don't need to be at the front, but everyone needs to see you;
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More visuals, less words;
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DEMONSTRATE! Don't tell them... DO IT;
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Don't give multiple instructions, small steps, please;
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Ask instruction check questions;
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Never, NEVER ask 'Do you understand?', they will say 'Yes';
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Don't use the target language in the instruction.
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Concept checking:
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Put concepts into a context;
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Focus on meaning;
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Sometimes it's harder to find the words to describe and define a word which students already know;
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Sometimes it's easier to just use bahasa;
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Sometimes students think they understand a word, when they don't;
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Ask the students 'yes/no' questions, or 'wh' questions with a short answer to check understanding;
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Be specific;
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Don't use the target language in the concept check question.
Remember our 'Fortune Telling game?
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Type the instructions, and concept check questions for the game in the box below. Click send.
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You can log onto our new Gmail account, and read everyone's different ideas.
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