Jun 13, 2019 Chunks, Phrase of the day Phrase of the day: Nae bother I have just come back from Scotland, where I was giving the keynote talk at the City of Glasgow College’s ESOL conference. I got given a present afterwards of a quaich – a small silver cup for sharing and drinking “a wee dram” (a small amount) of whisky (or brandy). Quaitch is originally a Gaelic […]
Jun 9, 2019 Coursebooks, Grammar, Lexis, Opinions A different kind of Beginner-level book 4: a spiralling syllabus A spiralling syllabus is NOT just about grammar Hopefully, you’ll have read our previous post on a spiral syllabus. In this short post, I want to add that the spiral syllabus doesn’t only apply to grammar. The same principles also apply to vocabulary and ‘functions’ and indeed to whole exchanges. In the case of vocabulary, […]
May 13, 2019 Coursebooks, Grammar, Lexis, Opinions A different kind of Beginner-level book 3: choosing which vocabulary to teach Making choices about vocabulary: teaching what’s relevant to most students, responding to individuals In our last post, we looked at how we’ve tried to ensure that Outcomes Beginner provides students with just enough grammar to have the kinds of basic conversations they’ll want to have. Today we want to explore another way in which we’ve […]
Apr 28, 2019 Coursebooks, Grammar, Lexis, Opinions A different kind of Beginner-level book 2 Just enough grammar and a spiral syllabus In our last post on teaching beginner-level students, we stated this principle: While there is a value in noticing and practising a particular aspect of grammar or vocabulary, it will not be mastered in that lesson. Accurate production of words or grammar in conversation / writing will be […]
Apr 8, 2019 Coursebooks, Grammar, Lexis, Opinions A different kind of Beginner-level book 1 If that’s what it’s not, what is it? A recent talk I did about the Beginner syllabus and why we really shouldn’t be bothering with short auxiliary answers at this level produced quite a few responses o social media – both positive and negative. On the whole, I’m happy to receive both, though some made […]
