NOTE: You don’t need to read this discussion until you reach the “Giving Instructions” lesson this week.

——————–

1. This is a peer teaching task, where you will practise giving instructions to each other. You’ll need to have a group Zoom call for this. Please liaise between yourselves to organise this. If this isn’t possible, you can practise on friends or family members.

2. Download this document which shows four different activities you might do in class. Your task is to choose one, write the instructions you would give when teaching this activity, and then practise giving these instructions.

3. Think carefully about your chosen activity. You need to really understand what the students have to do. Ask us if you don’t understand.

4. Write EXACTLY what you will say using the “DIMTS” format:

Dynamic:
Instruction:
Model: (write “for example” and what you will say here, word for word)
Time: (no need to give a time limit unless you want to)
Sheets: (nothing to write here but remember to give out any materials at the end of the instruction)

5. During your Zoom call, take it in turns to practise giving your instructions to your peers. Simply read off what you have written. Please don’t try to remember anything – the idea is to get the instruction right word for word.

6. Please remember that if you want the students to speak you need to do a speaking model; if they write, you do a writing model (on a piece of paper or on the board). For example:

Dynamic: As a 3, together.
Instruction: Please take turns to give your partners instructions using the command form. Your partners will do the action you tell them to do.
Model: For example: (moving to one side) Stand up! (moving to the other side, mime standing up).
(move back) Turn around! (move to the other side – mime turning around).
Time: 5minutes – go!
Sheets: (N/A)

7. After your Zoom call, write a reply in this discussion reflecting on how it went:

– I wish I had just read off from my instructions, as I went freestyle and it got really wordy.
– I kept saying “what I want you to do is” and “I’m going to…” I could have cut a lot of that out.
– I think I mixed up the instructions with the model, instead of having them as two separate things.
– I asked you to start writing too early and then you stopped listening to me!
– I gave a time limit but I don’t think it was needed.
– Maybe you could have asked us to stand up first, instead of at the end.
– I really liked your model, Fred.
– I thought it was great that you smiled but were still direct with us.

8. Post a second comment responding to another trainee’s entry.