Using the appropriate language for a variety of classroom functions

What language should I use?

Using language appropriately means we use the

language that is most appropriate for the students and the situation. Classroom functions are the reasons for which teachers and learners use language in the classroom. For teachers, some classroom functions include managing activities, explaining grammar or vocabulary to students, and moving the students from one activity to the next.

Common classroom functions

Instructing We tell students what to do at

different stages of a lesson. For example, at the beginning of a task, we might say, For this task, youre going to work in groups.

Common classroom functions

Eliciting This is when we get information from our

students instead of just giving it to them. The information can be about topics or language. For example, we can show students a photo and ask, What do you see in this photo? Prompting This is when we say something to help learners think of ideas or remember a word or phrase by giving them part of it. For example, in a storytelling speaking activity, the teacher can suggest, Maybe you could start the story with.

Common classroom functions

Correcting Teachers can correct students by using

language to show where they have made a mistake. For example, if a student used the wrong word, the teacher can say, You dont saybut you say Checking learning Teachers check learning all the time during lessons. But most of this checking happens after we have presented new language, and at the end of a lesson to give us information for planning other lessons. We can use concept questions to check students understanding, for example, Can anyone give me a sentence using this word?

Key concepts to remember

The language we use in the classroom must be appropriate

for the classroom function and the students level. We need to grade our language to suit the language level of the students. Grading language means using classroom language that is at or below the language level of the students We need to sequence our language for the students. Sequencing means using language in a logical order especially for explanations and instructions, for example, Listen. Work with a partner. instead of, Work with a partner. Listen. Learners can learn classroom language easily with repetition. So, it is important to use the same classroom language over and over, for example, Open your books and look at page