Development of mathematics lessons in English on the topics “The number stuff and the numbers line”, “Adding and subtracting”

How is the English lesson going?

Here is a spread of the modern communicative textbook English File (also not ideal!):

There are several aspects to one unit, one smoothly flows into the other.

And the lesson might develop something like this.

Vocabulary & pronunciation

Let's look at ordinal numbers and prepositions, which will be useful to us later in dates in English. Let's practice the pronunciation a little - it has its own nuances and difficulties. We’ll do a little speaking right away (When’s your birthday?)

Reading

We read a text about favorite times with a task to develop reading strategies. At the same time, we take a closer look at the interesting vocabulary in the text.

Listening

In listening, a third person answers the same questions as in the text. We listen and take notes.

Reading & grammar

Texts are often used as a primer on grammar. This one is no exception. We look at the constructions from the text love / like / don't mind / hate + doing

, we understand the patterns

Grammar

We study the rules, do a couple of exercises

Grammar & Speaking

We are trying to apply the new grammar and somehow pronounce it. For example, like this:

Do you like reading?

I love it!

What are you reading at the moment?

Anna Karenina.

What's it about?

Of course, this is only one possible scenario for how a modern English lesson works. There are a thousand options and combinations.

I will also never tire of repeating that textbooks (even the most beloved ones!) are imperfect, and they often need to be upgraded and supplemented.

Be that as it may, evaluate what is the place of grammar in the overall picture, and what part of the lesson is devoted to grammar in the form of rules and exercises. Hint: a very modest place and a very small part))

How to choose language courses?

If you choose language courses, the organizational side plays a big role, in particular, the principles of group formation. Make sure :

• Upon admission, children are tested not only in writing, but also orally. A written grammar test by itself does not provide reliable information about language level;
• The groups contain children of the same level and approximately the same age. As a rule, the age difference between children in a group should not be more than one year. First and second graders can study together, but if first and third graders are together, the educational process is much more difficult to organize: the latter read, write and assimilate new information much faster. Of course, there are situations when it is better for a child to study with children much older or, conversely, younger, but this does not happen often. One way or another, when forming groups, one must proceed from the characteristics and needs of the child, and not from what is more convenient for the language school or what time is more convenient for this or that family;
• children who fail are not promoted to the next level along with those who achieve. Those who are behind can repeat the level (preferably using a different textbook);
• you have the opportunity to communicate not only with the administration, but also with the teacher, and he (s) is able to tell you in detail about how your child is studying;
• The methodology used by the language school is suitable for the child. For example, from my point of view, teaching from scratch in English and completely abandoning the native language is not the best option for many children.

Finally, I will answer a few popular questions:

How to conduct English lessons

Teaching English is a much more complex, but at the same time interesting process than is commonly believed. How to conduct English lessons ? This is the question asked by every young teacher, course teacher (language school) and beginning English tutor. It is important to understand that teaching the first lesson is no less stressful for a teacher than the first lesson at school for a first-grader. And sometimes a lot depends on how successfully everything goes. Many people underestimate the role of the teacher, but it depends on him whether the student will love this subject, or will think that he has no abilities; many continued to study English after school and moved to live abroad, only because their school teacher instilled in them a love of languages.

How to conduct English lessons ? Knowing the answer to this question, we will certainly get a new generation of schoolchildren for whom English will not cause stress and who will be able to speak it normally while on vacation with their parents abroad, or with a foreign friend via the Internet. The problem for most Russian schoolchildren is that after many years of English at school (usually from the 5th grade), they cannot speak even a couple of words without hesitation! I believe that the roots of this problem go back to teachers who don't like their subject or don't even want to try to teach it in an interesting way.

Teaching English is never easy, whether you're teaching native English speakers or teaching non-native English speakers. English lessons begin in the classroom. Ideally, this is a permanent place that the teacher can independently arrange in accordance with his wishes. What can you recommend for designing an English class? Flags, coats of arms and maps of countries where English is the official language. Since the list of such countries exceeds several dozen, you can focus on: the USA, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand. Cuttings from newspapers and magazines in English will look stylish. A great option is a bookshelf with magazines, books and printouts in English that you can take home. If it is modern literature with interesting content (even fashion magazines or books for teenagers), your students will want to read them, and for this they will have to pick up a dictionary. If there is interest, there will be progress! If you are an English tutor and your students come to your home, then this rule applies to you too. Tables with rules are common companions in the English classroom, but let them not be the only decorations.

Another important aspect is the textbooks and other additional materials on which your English lesson is based. Most school textbooks are not very interesting, but if the school curriculum requires the use of specific teaching aids, as in language schools, then the tutor has much more scope for activity! Again, no one will forbid you to use additional interesting tasks in the English language. When going to class, plan for more interactivity so that all students feel comfortable and can discuss different topics orally. Always keep in mind that when students participate in English lessons, then you are on the right track to become a successful English teacher.

Now let's look at some points on how you can make your English lessons more meaningful for your class. Proper teaching requires you to be friendly, be everyone's friend. An angry, arrogant teacher who is always confident that he is right will never become ideal, much less popular. If you think that this is unrealistic, then you are deeply mistaken, I know many such teachers, they are loved and happy in their work. Surprisingly, almost all of them are men...

If you are teaching people who already know English, then your main goal is to help them appreciate the beauty of the language and appreciate English literature. Literature will allow them to learn more beautiful, competent and refined English, unconsciously and without pressure. People who read speak more beautifully and correctly, that’s a fact. Grammar is also well absorbed and learned through reading.

How to conduct English lessons.

And if you teach those for whom English is still a completely unfamiliar language, then it depends on you whether they will love this language or not. Your main goal is to instill in them the knowledge necessary to have basic speaking skills in that language. You'll have to start with the simplest words and slowly but surely work your way up. Teaching English requires you to be unpredictable, constantly changing your strategies over and over again. However, it would be nice to have traditions - it unites both the family and the teacher with the students. Holidays and traditions of celebrating them are your key to success! Thematic lessons, tea parties, and performances are labor intensive, but the payoff is worth it. This will bring your lessons to life.

How to conduct English lessons? As a teacher, there are several things you can do to keep your class active and engaged. Games are the most effective, with many different vocabulary, grammar and speaking skills games that can be adapted into the classroom. But make sure that the games will be interesting and useful. Dialogues and improvised skits are more important than just boring grammar, if you look at it from a practical point of view. Grammar, divorced from conversational skills, has little value. Interesting dialogues, texts, songs and much more can also be found on the website of the online English language learning service - LINGUALEO. I talked more about this service here.

Any subject involves testing knowledge: tests, quizzes and assessments. Give occasional easy tests that you can be sure students will do well. This will give them confidence and they will actually look forward to more difficult challenges (tests and quizzes).

Comprehension is the best way to test English. Written comprehension tests are good, but if you also give audio or visual comprehension tests, it will be much better. Listen to songs, conduct dialogues, watch videos.

Another important aspect, sometimes the most important, is grades. There is one golden rule: do not scold a student in front of everyone. Ask him to stay and explain his shortcomings face to face, public humiliation and insult are unacceptable! However, I think there is no need to explain that in general any humiliation, rude expressions and insults are unacceptable! As for praise, it is necessary to praise. But don’t overdo it by singling out favorites; you harm both them and yourself. Especially if these are subjective likes and dislikes. It's difficult, but possible.

If you think about it, there is nothing difficult about becoming an ideal English teacher, and now you know exactly how to teach English lessons. By following all these simple rules, you can be sure that your students will sincerely be able to say: I love English!