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1.3.Planning lessons for juniors
The curriculum should also be adjusted to the students’ interests in order to hold the students’ attention during lessons, and through the practice of all language skills (writing, reading, listening and conversation) students will get the necessary security in the knowledge they have acquired. Furthermore, versatility in class activities will not only help with mastering all language skills, but it will awaken the interest in students to learn more and they will be less likely to get bored during the classes because they will be more interesting.
Testing learners should happen at this level, and in accordance with the students’ age, be done in a way that will put each language skill to the test – writing, speaking, reading and listening comprehension.
Don’t let the junior age group make you think it is easier to teach older students. It’s not. Teaching this age group has its own challenges. Being a teenager is not an easy task, and with so much changes going on in their lives and their bodies, their confidence is up and down. You will find that your juniors have begun to care about other people’s opinions and how they are seen by others, so make sure activities are comfortable.
The best way to make this lessons for juniors work is to make them relatable. The first lesson will always be awkward no matter what, as the students are just getting to know you and their classmates. So use the first lesson to get to know them. Do this by doing a quiz, or a questionnaire to find out their favorite movies, music and things they do in their free time. Once you have this information, you are able to get to know their world, and they have had a chance to learn about each other, often finding common interests. Now that you know what their interests are, use them to make your future lessons more relevant. If the lesson is structured around a topic they understand or have an interest in, you will more easily keep them engaged.
Not only can you make use of the students’ interests, also make use of popular media channels they use. For example set out an activity where they need to make a snap chat video in English, or write up a good Instagram caption. This will encourage them to use English in their everyday lives and understand various situations that certain language is used in. Keep it fun as always, and never show judgement to something one of the students likes or follows as this can be a huge step backwards in their comfort in the classroom. Anyone who has taught kindergarten knows how much energy the students have. It is a full lesson of go, go, go. As cute as the kids are, if your lesson is not jam-packed with active, high-energy games, you’re going to lose them. In order to keep the students active and entertained as well as get the target language across, you will need to be innovative.
This age group responds very well to songs, colorful images and movement. Make sure your activities include at least one of these three elements to keep them interested. Not only must the activity have movement, so should you. Don’t be afraid to make a fool of yourself. Kindergartens react well to exaggerated facial expressions, big movements and loud sounds. For example teaching them about animals in the jungle is most effective when you make the sounds of the animals and role play to the students. They will not only love the acting but if the teacher is comfortable with acting like a kindergartener then they will feel more confident in the classroom and being among other students.
Keep lessons active while including the target language in fun ways. Try not to include activities which require a lot of coordination or ball skills. This age group is still developing those skills and if they are asked to do something they lack confidence in, the student will shy away and not want to participate.
With the correct balance of learning and fun these lessons will be a huge success, so clown around and enjoy being a child again.
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