Alternative Forms of Teaching English

Panel discussions Debates Presentations Talk shows Projects

AIMS Development of language skills social skills emotional skills life skills critical thinking

BASIC STEPS What is a…? (description) Why have a…? (reasons) Participants Choosing the topic General discussion in class Setting up the room Assigning roles Description of the procedure

A DEBATE What is a debate? It is a formal presentation of a major issue to an audience. The issue is presented in the form of a proposition, which is always an affirmative statement. One side (or team) argues in favour of the proposition, and the other argues against it. The arguments are presented in a well-organised, structured and quite formal way.

PARTICIPANTS  the chairperson  speakers for the proposition  speakers against the proposition  journalists  the audience  the judges (optional)

Types of propositions based on concepts and ideas of the coursebook (The New Leaders, What If) based on a local issue

e.g: Unit “The Only Way Is Up” The New Leaders Unit “What If I Were A Refugee?” What If Level B2 SOURCES

A woman’s place is at home. We should help refugees or immigrants to make their future in our town. Propositions

Fishing should be prohibited in the Gulf of Geras Propositions based on a local issue

Preparation Decide the date the room how to advertise the debate the roles

Chair SP 1 SP 2 SP 3 SP 4 JOURNALISTS AUDIENCE JUDGES

After the debate The audience/judges vote. In the next session Journalists write articles or reports. Students evaluate journalists’ articles. (which side they take) Students write their own articles / reports. (including their own opinion)

Panel Discussion The aim is the same. The preparation is the same. A topic instead of a proposition. Usually experts or well-known people take part. The audience doesn’t vote. Less formal than the debate.

Talk show A talk show usually helps the development of the speakers’ skills and communication. One or more people can take part. The talk can be personal or social. No specific topic Informal talk No special setting

Presentation One or two students are involved. Use of visual aids. Time limit. The audience evaluates the presentation.

Newsletters Electronic newsletter Wall displays Posters Magazines Banners Leaflets Flyers VIDEO Projects

Projects can be done Individually In pairs In groups

Short-term projects Long-term projects (two types)

The best projects are group projects.

Basic principles Don’t allow more than 5 students or less than 3 in each group. Try to form multi-level groups.

Basic principles Ask each group to choose their coordinator. Give them the deadline for the projects. (Also give them the deadlines for the steps they should follow.)

Basic principles If they can’t make a decision on who is going to do what, help them. Explain the procedure.

Basic principles When they finish, give them time to present their project. Ask the rest of the class to evaluate the projects.

Basic principles  You should be positive about whatever they have done.  Remember: It’s not the product. It’s the process.

Alternative forms of teaching help learners improve their language skills. Reading (input material) Listening (oral resources) Speaking (presentation) Writing (the outcome of the project) Mediation (to transfer information from one language to the other)