Lesson 12: teaching speaking in primary level pupils: monologue and dialogue questions to be discussed

Principles of lesson planning

There are different principles of lesson planning. The most important among them are variety, flexibility, examining the subject matter from the learners’ point of view, considering individual differences, language backgrounds and past experience.

1. Variety means involving learners in a number of different types of activities and using a wide selection of material to motivate learners.

2. Flexibility comes into play, when dealing with the plan in the classroom, for a number of reasons a teacher should have an opportunity to change the plan in accordance with the situation which can take place during teaching.

3. Examination of the subject matter from the learners’ point of view – the teacher should examine teaching material and reveal its appropriateness to learners and difficulties for acquiring this material by learners. During planning a teacher adapt material and defines ways of overcoming these difficulties.

4. Consideration of individual differences presupposes that learners have different abilities to learn the language under apparently the same conditions of learning. This fact should be taking into consideration in planning. This principle is known in the domestic methodology as individualization and differentiation of teaching.

5. Language backgrounds and past experience – before designing a teacher should reveal what prior knowledge, abilities and skills the learners have.

Designing the lesson and outlining its plan is an essential part of the teaching process. All EL teachers – regardless of training, experience, or competency – need a carefully drawn lesson plan in order to assist their learners in attaining learning objectives, both on a daily basis as well as the long-term. Having a lesson plan is like having a complete and clear visualization of how a learning session is to take place and how learners are able to grasp and retain the lesson concepts.

If a teacher is new to teaching, a lesson plan is basically just a step-by-step guide on how the teacher intends to present a lesson and the ways by which learners are expected to learn and appreciate the lessons various concepts. An excellent lesson plan is one that can be easily and effectively used by another teacher in a job place. This means that the ideal lesson plan is both clear and comprehensive.

Unless a specific lesson plan format is required by the learning type of institution, most EL practitioners tailor their lesson plans according to the teaching philosophies or techniques they believe in or are most comfortable with.

A teacher should be able to identify an overall purpose or goal that he will attempt to accomplish by the end of the class period. This goal may be quite generalized, but it serves as a unifying theme for him. Thus, in the sample lesson plan, understanding telephone conversation generally identifies the lesson topic.