Teaching grammar to A2 Restricted output: drills, exercises, dialogues

Teaching grammar to A2

Restricted output: drills, exercises, dialogues and games

Language practice activities are arguably the most important part of any grammar lesson. Although teachers often spend a lot of time on 'input' stages - for example, in giving explanations -the real learning experience is when learners try to use the language themselves.

In order to give students intensive oral or written practice of specific language points, you can use activities carefully designed to restrict the language needed and require the use of the target items. Restricted output activities are defined by their focus on (a) limited options for use of language; (b) limited options for communication; (c) a focus on accuracy. Typical restricted activities are oral drills, written exercises, elicited dialogues, and grammar practice activities/games.
Drills

Drills provide intensive oral practice of selected sentences, giving the learners a chance to practise 'getting their mouths around' the language without worrying too much about meaning. The basic drill involves simple repetition:

TEACHER: He's going to open the door. STUDENTS: He's going to open the door. TEACHER: He's going to drive the car. STUDENTS: He's going to drive the car.