How to Teach Language Functions

 

    A dialog is taught to expose the students to patterns and expressions used in spoken  

 English, to practice correct intonation, pronunciation and rhythm.

    A. Teaching a language function involves the  following steps:

       1. Have the students close their books

       2. Do a warm up, i.e. ask the students some related questions

           to attract their attention.

       3. Have the students listen carefully to the dialog read at normal

           speed & let them know that they will be asked some

           comprehension questions on the dialog.

       4. Have them open their books & read the dialog to them.

       5. Read the dialog again & paraphrase each sentence.

       6. Practice the dialog while their books are closed to the point of 

           automatic production.

           B. Practicing language functions involves the following steps :

       1. Have the students repeat the first line after you a few times

           chorally with individual spot checks. If the lines are long, you may

           have backward-forward repetition. Do the same with the second line.

       2. When the students have mastered the first set, do the chain drill,

            i.e. , the teacher asks one of  the students & she/he answers , then

            the same student should ask another one, (This should be

            continued by two or three other students). The last student asks

            the teacher and the teacher answers. The students repeat her/his

            answer chorally. Then, the teacher ask the students and they

            answer. All of the students ask the teacher, and the teacher answers.

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