ASSIGNMENT 3 GUIDELINES - EXPERIMENTAL PRACTICE

This assignment consists of:
1. Background Essay (1,500 - 2,000 words)
2. Lesson Plan and Lesson
3. Post-Lesson Evaluation (500 words max.)

Length: 2,500-3,000 words total, including the post-lesson evaluation.

Guidelines
Candidates should:
· describe the background to the chosen area in terms of theory and practice
· explain their professional interest in this area in terms of experience and personal teaching preferences
· identify objectives for the experiment and ways of finding out how far they have been met
· plan and teach a lesson using the experimental teaching procedure / technique
· retrospectively
- evaluate the lesson in terms of identified objectives
- identify ways in which this area may be adapted for inclusion in future work (or consideration of why this area is not worth further extension or adaptation)
- devise an action plan for future personal professional development.

Marking Criteria:
1. Background Essay
Your essay should satisfy the following general criteria:
¨ Is clear, easy to follow in accurate language that does not impose a strain on the reader
¨ Is clearly organised
¨ Uses appropriate terminology accurately
¨ Makes references to sources in the text
¨ Contains a reference bibliography
¨ Respects the word limit and states the number of words used

Your essay should specifically follow these criteria:
¨ Selects an approach, technique or procedure on an informed basis, making specific appropriate reference to theory
¨ Makes reference to the characteristics and needs of a specific group of learners
¨ Describes the background to the chosen approach, technique or procedure in terms of theory and practice
¨ Explains your professional interest in this area in terms of your experience and your teaching preferences
¨ Identifies objectives for the experiment
¨ Identifies means to establish if these objectives have been met

2. Lesson Plan
Your plan should:
¨ Identify the group of learners and their needs
¨ Identify your assumptions about the group of learners and the lesson
¨ Identify expected problems with the lesson
¨ Identify solutions for the above problems
¨ Describe your objective(s) for the lesson
¨ Provide a detailed schedule of the activities/stages of the lesson including your activity, the learner's activity and interaction patterns for the complete lesson
¨ Provide realistic timings for each activity/stage of the lesson
¨ Provide a rationale for each activity/stage of the lesson
¨ Provide copies of all materials used in the lesson

3. Post-lesson Evaluation
Your evaluation should
¨ Evaluate the lesson in terms of the objective(s) identified in your lesson plan
¨ Evaluate your investigation into your chosen approach, technique or procedure according to objectives identified in your essay
¨ Identify ways in which this area may be adapted for future work. Or suggest why this area is not worth further extension or adaptation
¨ Devise an action plan for improvement and your continued development as a teacher

Make sure that you hand in 2 complete copies of the assignment

Some suggestions for possible areas to experiment with:
(Remember you must be unfamiliar with your chosen area)

1. Using literature
2. Using Drama
3. Memory training
4. Using non EFL internet sites
5. Using e-mail
6. Using chat rooms
7. Using a language laboratory
8. Using a computer laboratory for EFL
9. Using methods and techniques from the Silent Way
10. Using methods and techniques from Suggestopedia
11. Using methods and techniques from Community Language Learning
12. Using Cuisenaire rods
13. Formal debates
14. Process writing (the technique not writing about a process!)
15. Recording learners and using the material gathered
16. Simulations
17. Extended Role Plays
18. Using translation
19. Using dictations
20. Using methods and techniques from the Audio Visual approach
21. Using methods and techniques from the Grammar Translation approach
22. Videoing your students