2. MATCHING TASK COMPLETE It is both satisfying and instructive to match what you have heard to the written word. E Students read tape script and listen at the same time. It is important to exploit the text to teach language features, and aspects which will help students better understand the text. B Teaching listening, e.g. focus on identifying specific vocabulary, expressions, problem phrases, aspects of 'ear' training, etc. Listening intensively for detail is best done after learners have gained an overall grasp of the gist. A Set intensive listening task - e.g. asking about specific details. Play complete extract and check task, re-playing sections if necessary. A very general initial task helps discourage learners from trying to listen to every word. F Set gist task, for example, Who is talking to whom, about what, and why? It helps if learners can ‘tune in’ to the recorded extract so as to get used to the voice(s), speed and so on. C Play short introduction (first few lines of recorded extract), and set easy question. It helps reduce the difficulty of listening if learners are familiar with the most important words in the text. G Pre-teach key vocabulary or predict it- for example, by writing each key word on the board and attempting to elicit a definition, example, synonym, or translation. Activating background knowledge about the topic helps make sense of the text. D Generate interest in the topic - by, for example, asking the class about their experience, feelings, or knowledge of the topic. PRINCIPLE STAGE
