Lesson Plan for Improving Oral English through Free Talk
Objective
To enhance the conversational skills of Robert by engaging in free talk while addressing and correcting grammar mistakes in a supportive environment.
Materials Needed
- Notebook and pen
- List of conversation prompts
- A timer (for timed speaking exercises)
Introduction (10 minutes)
Warm-up Conversation
Begin with a simple warm-up conversation to ease Robert into speaking English. Here are some prompts you can use:
- How was your day?
- What did you have for breakfast today?
- Describe your favorite hobby.
Encourage Robert to speak freely but gently correct any major grammar errors as they occur.
Free Talk Session (20 minutes)
Topic Selection
Choose a topic to discuss during this session. Here are some example topics:
- Travel experiences
- Cultural differences between China and the West
- Technology and its impact on daily life
Instructions
- Start a Conversation: Begin by sharing your thoughts on the selected topic.
- Encourage Robert to Join In: Ask open-ended questions to promote dialogue.
- For example: "What about your experience with technology? Do you think it helps in our lives?"
- Monitor Grammar Usage: Pay attention to Robert's grammar. Correct gently without interrupting the flow.
- For example, if Robert says, “I go to the store yesterday,” you can respond, “Oh great! Just to clarify, we say 'I went to the store yesterday.’ Let's practice that.”
Focus on Grammar (10 minutes)
After the free talk, take a moment to highlight some common grammar points that came up during the conversation.
Common Mistakes
- Tenses: Past, Present, Future
- Subject-Verb Agreement
- Prepositions
Activity
Choose one of the mistakes observed during the conversation. Work through examples together.
Example Correction Practice:
-
Identify the mistake: “She go to the park every Saturday.”
-
Break it down:
- Subject: She
- Verb: go (correct: goes)
- Time phrase: every Saturday
-
Ask Robert to create his own sentences using correct grammar:
- “She goes to the park every Saturday.”
- “I play soccer every weekend.”
Role-playing Exercise (15 minutes)
Scenario Preparation
Prepare a small role-playing scenario based on a real-life situation, such as ordering food at a restaurant or asking for directions.
Instructions
- Assign Roles: You can act as the waiter, and Robert will be the customer.
- Engage in Dialogue:
- Example: “Welcome! What would you like to order?”
- Focus on Contextual Grammar: During the role play, allow natural conversation to flow, correcting grammar within context. Use phrases like:
- “Can you say that again?” or “That sounds good, but let’s tweak that a bit for clarity.”
Cool Down and Feedback (5 minutes)
Concluding Thoughts
End the lesson with a brief recap of what Robert has learned.
- Discuss:
- What did he enjoy most about the lesson?
- What topic would he like to explore next time?
- Provide positive feedback:
- Acknowledge his improvements.
- Encourage him to keep practicing and suggest he takes notes on any grammar points discussed.
Homework
Ask Robert to practice speaking about his day for 5 minutes daily. He can record himself and listen to the playback for better self-analysis.
This lesson structure focuses on helping Robert improve his oral English skills through engaging conversation while subtly addressing grammatical errors. The atmosphere should remain relaxed and encouraging, making the learning process enjoyable.