Make life easier by building up a library of ready-made lessons for yourself or your teaching staff to copy and cut as required.
Though relatively easy, it can prove a godsend during the busy season when time is short, or when standing in for
absent colleagues.
* PRODUCING QUALITY MASTER-COPIES *
The quality of any masters must be reasonable if they are to be photocopied. You may find the following points useful:-
Handwritten Master-copies:-
Handwritten masters should be avoided, unless there is good reason, e.g: illustrations with notes, etc. In order to achieve a professional appearance, consider treating yourself to a typewriter, word-processor, or computer and printer. Alternatively, it could be worth employing the services of a secretarial agency to type out any masters which are are to be photocopied on a regular basis.
Typewritten Master-Copies:-
When typing master-copies, use a new ribbon; making do with an old, faded one could prove to be false economy.
Printed Master-copies:-
If you are using a word-processing package, ensure that your computer and printer are set to their highest resolution (dpi = dots per inch/cm)
* MAKING YOUR
LESSONS USER-FRIENDLY *
Whether you are building up your own library of ready-made lessons, or providing a resources centre for teaching staff, there are certain points to bear in mind.
* FORMAT *
Keep the format as simple as possible. A busy teacher, or impatient student, may have neither the time, nor the inclination, to study a complicated format, the likes of which could easily erode the fragile confidence of novice, or inexperienced teachers and/or highly-strung students.
Provide only relevant information. Do not cause confusion with unnecessary data, no matter how interesting it may be. Aim as much as possible at a recognisable style or format, with which both teachers and students can become familiar.
* EASE OF USE *
Remember! Teachers may be reluctant to use anything which requires:-
Instructions should therefore be precise, clear to follow and easy to implement. Lessons should be marked with both relevant level and a brief breakdown of the content and purpose, eg:- language points, functions, etc.
A comprehensive key should be included, as necessary. Cutting lines should be marked clearly by a line of dots, or dashes.
(If using dots for this purpose, avoid using dots elsewhere on the same page, in order to avoid confusion.)
A checklist should be added to show any additional equipment or realia which may be required to present and/or complete the lesson, eg: video, cassette player, dice, coloured pens, paper, glue, etc.
* LAYOUT *
Adhering to a certain style of layout on each page will prevent confusion, enabling all users to quickly become familiar with it.
Any worksheets should be adequately spaced, particularly if it is the intention that exercises are to be completed on them.
The layout should be visually appealing in order to arouse students' interest initially, then to help maintain their concentration.
* CONTENT *
Ideas can be gleaned from books, although the importance of originality cannot be stressed enough, as students may already be familiar with any exercises taken from course books.
The content should be determined not only by level, but also by age and cultural background. Lessons which are aimed at teenagers, or at students with poor powers of concentration, must contain material with which the students can identify, in order to prevent disruption and/or boredom minutes into the lesson. Generally speaking, music, sport, films, makeup, fashion and personal relationships seem to be the most popular topics for younger learners.
* DURABILITY *
Consider lamination for anything constantly handled. Students tend to object to dog-eared or dirty game cards and/or prompts: feeling disgruntled about using something which is obviously flimsy and deteriorating could distract them from the purpose of the lesson.
* TESTING *
Ask colleagues to try out lessons, to ensure that the instructions, information, content, etc., are easy to use and well-received.
* STORAGE *
Master-copies are best stored in plastic wallets in a ring-binder. Laminated cards are best stored in wallets or stackable boxes. All masters should have reasonable margins, but if they are to be made into spiral-bound booklets, an extra wide margin should be allowed. Ask your copy shop for their recommendation.
* ACCESSIBILITY *
Being able to locate the lessons without difficulty is essential. A cross-reference system, whether alphabetical or numerical is important and should refer to language, level, type, etc.
THE END
Copyright 2001, Musical English Lessons
International. All rights reserved.
|
