I thought I'd bring in the New Year with a quick challenge for TEFLers (Teachers of English as a Foreign Language) out there. Well, not so much a challenge in terms of getting a question right or wrong, but a challenge along the lines of stating a clear preference between two options and quickly rationalising it.
I am exploring an issue or a theory here, so please bear with me!
Let's say, for the sake of being hypothetical, you are presented with two different coursebook approaches to the same essential thematic lesson, oriented around holiday destinations and writing quick, simple advertisements.
Here they are:
These lesson sequences have been rather simplified, but let's assume (for argument's sake) that they are level appropriate for your students and you can only choose one of the two options above to take into your classroom.
1. Which would YOU choose for your learners?
Lesson Sequence A [EaASSA], or
Lesson Sequence B [EaSSA]
2. Even more importantly, WHY would you choose that option?
3. (For interest's sake) Which of the two options do you think major publishers would most likely opt for?
If you're a fan of Jeremy Harmer's work, you'll already have an inkling what all the Es and Ss and As mean before each lesson element, and if you don't, never fear - I'll explain them for you in the follow up post to this one.
I'd love it if you could comment, indicate your choices and rationales, and add any other comments you feel like contributing. I would like to stress that there is no deliberately "right" or "wrong" preference here, just two different ways of approaching the same sort of lesson focus.
Go on, take the challenge! Pick a TEFL Potion and say what magic it holds for you...
:-)
