INTRODUCTION TO THE SKILLS

A series of 24 questions to get you examining your position on the teaching of language skills.
Try going through them with a couple of colleagues in a blitz discussion forum with two minutes per question: very eye-opening.

PRODUCTIVE SKILLS REVIEW

1. What are the Productive skills?

2. What are the main problems learners have with the productive skills?

3. Give one very broad aim of a productive skills lesson:

4. What can writing / speaking samples also be used for?

5. What sub-skills do you associate with writing and speaking?

6. What is the rationale behind giving students tasks before speaking / writing?

7. What do the following terms mean to you?

Process writing:

Writing genres:

Fluency:

Accuracy:

Turn Taking:

8. How do texts and tasks differ in lessons aimed at developing intensive or extensive writing or speaking?

9. What additional work can be done on the speaking / writing text?

10. How can we vary pace in a productive lesson?

11. What is the rationale for teaching language skills in isolation?

12. What is the rationale for integrating the teaching of language skills?

RECEPTIVE SKILLS REVIEW

1. What are the receptive skills?

2. What are the main problems learners have with the receptive skills?

3. Give one very broad aim of a receptive skills lesson:

4. What can reading/ listening texts also be used for?

5. What sub-skills do you associate with reading and listening?

6. What is the rationale behind giving students tasks before listening / reading?

7. What do the following terms mean to you?

Extensive reading:

Intensive reading:

Extensive listening:

Intensive listening:

8. How do texts and tasks differ in lessons aimed at developing intensive or extensive reading or listening?

9. What additional work can be done on the listening / reading text?

10. How can we vary pace in a receptive lesson?

11. What is the rationale for teaching language skills in isolation?

12. What is the rationale for integrating the teaching of language skills?