Episode 53: Part 2 - Reimagining Language Textbooks for Comprehensible & Communicative Teaching Q&A
Episode description
Welcome to the second part of our series, where we delve deeper into the concept of reimagining language textbooks to enhance the effectiveness of language teaching and make it more engaging. In our previous episode, we explored this exciting approach, and our audience didn't hold back, posing a wide array of questions across four major themes: vocabulary, grammar, structuring lesson plans, and the challenges that educators face beyond the classroom.
Let's begin with the theme of vocabulary. The burning question on everyone's mind is, "How can we effectively cover all the necessary vocabulary?" While there's no one-size-fits-all solution to this challenge, in this episode, we'll ask the questions that will lead us to the solution. Additionally, I'll share three different approaches that can help us build vocabulary effectively for our learners.
Moving on to grammar, many questions revolve around how to incorporate specific grammar concepts and verb forms into our teaching materials. In Episode 51, I touched on this topic, and now, I'll introduce two more practical ideas that can be applied at any language proficiency level.
Next, we'll tackle the critical task of structuring lesson plans. Effective lesson planning is the cornerstone of successful teaching, especially when adopting the comprehensible and communicative approach. We'll explore how to strike the right balance between departing from the rigid sequence of a textbook while maintaining a sustainable teaching practice. Furthermore, we'll provide specific structures that can be tailored to your teaching needs.
Finally, we'll address the challenges that educators often encounter outside the classroom, such as dealing with unsupportive departments or managing end-of-year expectations from the next teacher.
Are you ready? Click play, and let's embark on this journey of exploration and innovation in language teaching.
Links & Resources
Self Selected Vocabulary by Thomas Sauer
Question of the Day by Diego Ojeda