ABSTRACT

This publication provides essential reading for any language teacher. Pupil engagement in the language-learning process is key to success, and with this in mind the authors provide a comprehensive list of ideas as well as explaining the underlying principles of successful language-learning.

Neil Jones, Assistant Headteacher

Learning a language, especially in a class or group, is an intensely practical subject. Active participation by students is the key to successful language learning at any age or ability level. This book offers teachers a multitude of practical activities in which students take the lead, and clearly links these to the various linguistic and pragmatic skills.

The book provides clear and comprehensive guidance on the classroom environment, models of teaching and learning, and assessment. It aims to help teachers plan engaging lessons which will enable all students to develop the key skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing in the target language. Topics covered include:

  • The essentials of language learning
  • Use of the target language; training the ear and training the voice
  • Exploiting audio and video recordings
  • Exploiting texts and pictures
  • Using stories and drama in the classroom, and independent reading
  • Making good use of written work
  • Integrating multimedia resources and the Internet across the language skills
  • Integrating grammar into communication

Teaching and Learning Languages has been written in line with national and European language policies, reflecting contemporary trends in the teaching and learning of languages. The text’s focus on active learning and its indispensable guidance for planning lessons make it essential reading for all trainee and practising teachers.

chapter 1|4 pages

The essentials of language learning

chapter 2|5 pages

The classroom environment

chapter 3|6 pages

Some teaching and learning modes

chapter 4|6 pages

Assessment

chapter 5|4 pages

Use of the target language by students

chapter 6|4 pages

Training the ear, training the voice

chapter 7|2 pages

Working together

General principles

chapter 8|7 pages

Semi-spontaneous pair-work

chapter 9|7 pages

Some possibilities for group-work

chapter 10|9 pages

Using ICT in the languages classroom

chapter 11|11 pages

Interactive communication

chapter 12|7 pages

Drama and role-play

chapter 13|7 pages

Exploiting audio and video texts

chapter 14|6 pages

Exploiting [A] texts and [B] pictures

chapter 15|6 pages

Excerpts or independent reading?

chapter 16|5 pages

Using stories in the classroom

chapter 17|6 pages

Making good use of written work

chapter 18|6 pages

Dictionary and reference skills

chapter 19|8 pages

Learning words and phrases

chapter 20|8 pages

Integrating grammar into communication

chapter 21|1 pages

Conclusion