This document discusses integrating language skills in the classroom. It states that language learning involves meaningful practice using language skills, not just acquiring language. The main language skills are receptive (listening and reading) and productive (speaking and writing). In real life, these skills are used together - we listen and speak in conversations, read and write when filling out forms. The document provides two examples of lessons that integrate skills. The first uses a newspaper article to practice reading, speaking, and writing. The second uses an accommodation advertisement, roleplay, listening, and writing to explore finding a place to live. Integrating skills allows practice that mirrors real-world language use, offers variety, and recycles vocabulary in a meaningful context.
2. What is language learning?
O Not only acquisition of language.
O Not just something we learn about.
O Rather, a set of skills, something we learn to
do.
O So, students need meaningful and
interactive practice in the skills, in order to
learn to USE the language.
3. Language skills
Productive skills
Receptive skills
❖Classroom Techniques for Receptive
skills are often similar.
❖Productive skills lessons also share
many similarities.
Listening Reading Speaking Writing
4. O In real life, language skills never occur in
isolation.
O In conversations, we listen and speak.
O When filling in a form, we read and write.
O When taking notes, we listen and write.
O Often the use of one skill leads on
naturally to another.
O We see a film, and we talk about it later.
5. How can you integrate skills in a lesson?
O As in real life, skills are integrated with
one activity leading on to another:
6. Example 1
A lesson for intermediate level students, based on a
newspaper article.
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3
T introduces
topic, Ss say
what they know
and discuss what
they could find in
the article.
Ss read the
newspaper
article and
complete tasks:
Reading
comprehension,
vocabulary
development, etc
Ss could write a
letter to the
editor in
response to the
article, or write a
similar article
SPEAKING READING WRITING
7. Example 2
A lesson for lower level students about finding
accommodation.
Stage 1 Stage 3
Stage 2 Stage 4
Ss read a
newspaper
advertisement,
focusing on
some of the
special
vocabulary
Ss complete
some tasks:
Roleplay /
informaion gap
activity with a
possible telephone
conversation with
the landlord (asking
questions and
making an
appointment to see
the flat)
Ss listen to a
short piece of
conversation
between the
landlord and
someone
being shown
round the flat.
Ss write a
letter to a
friend
describing
their new flat.
READING SPEAKING LISTENING WRITING
8. Why is it useful to integrate skills?
O It allows for the practice of Lg. as in the real
world.
O Integrated lessons are more satisfying for
learners. They offer more variety
O One single topic can be fully explored, and
vocabulary can be practised and recycled.
O The same context or text can be used for
another activity, so the teacher does not have
to waste time setting up something new.
9. Practical Work
O Get into groups of three students.
O Talk about your “Proficiency” or “Text & Use” lessons
that you’ve had during the first week.
O Describe one of those lessons, stating clearly the stage,
the activity and the skill developed with each activity. (As
in slide #7)
O Once finished, share your lesson with the rest of the
class.
