I have been teaching English for almost 20 years. The English department at my school has opened a new course for the students, " English for Technology and Information". My boss asked me to prepare the lesson plan for the course. I am very nervous what to start first? Can anyone help me?
This question is from Kanokrat Sae Dan
Comments
joe
Marisa Merlo, Italy
I suggest using articles from scientific magazines, centred on topics the students face in other subjects like Maths, Chemistry, Physics. It may be difficult at the beginning, but it may help. You could also plan lessons with another teachers, if you can, using English to introduce a new topic or an experiment.
Caroline Carsted, Germany
I would like to recommend a good book that may help you. Technical English. Vocabulary & Grammar Nick Brieger, Alison Pohl. The level is high, but the book is well-structured and covers a wide range of topics. Two pages unusually cover one topic. Hope this helps!
Ameen Al Nemer, Saudi Arabia
Hi, this is the fourth year for me in teaching English as a foreign language for secondary school in Saudi Arabia.This year, I decided to use the projector to present my lessons instead of using the board. It's interesting and my students become more active. I think using a projector for technology lessons will help you a lot.
Teresa Lin, Malaysia
I was in your predicament a couple of years ago. I, too, shared your anxiety while groping in the dark as to how to start teaching ESP units in my college. Yes, it's good to design the syllabus first. If you really have no idea, look at the ELT books published by various publishers. I've found the following books extremely useful:
The first year of teaching was very challenging. I'd to familiarise myself with technical jargon and deal with students who seemed to know more about the subject matter than I! I chose to humble myself and sought my colleagues' and students' help in understanding especially the science reading passages. Thank God, they were really eager to guide me. After that, my confidence level started to increase and I felt more in control while delivering my lessons.
Jennifer Bugeja, Canada
I understand how you feel. I was in an even more difficult position. I have only taught English for two years. My new teaching job involved making up an English for Special Purposes course for Spanish speaking workers recruited to a pork "slaughterhouse" from El Salvador. I was fortunate that my boss is very experienced and has great intuition in this field. She provided me with many pertinent materials, which can easily be found when researched. The main thing, as I see from other people who answered your question, is, of course, the particular needs of your group, their level, the information regarding the particular job your students are involved in, and the main objective of this particular course. I think the most important thing is to start from there, but then the students themselves will indicate their needs also, once you meet and assess them. Once you know your students better, you can incorporate all this information for this particular group of students and this particular course.
Ertin, Indonesia
Maybe the first thing you have to do is to collect the materials related to Technology and Information. By having those, you can grade the materials according to their level then you can start to make your lesson plan based on the graded material. For activities, you can adapt from your other English class lesson plan, just change the topic. Hope my suggestion can help you and good luck with your new class.
Paola Gherardelli, Italy
I suggest reading an excellent book: English as a Special Language by Tom Hutchinson and Alan Waters (Cambridge Language Teaching Library). The book contains many interesting observations about ESP and many useful suggestions for planning a successful course. I think you should try and narrow the subject as much as possible, focusing on the student's characterises, your learning objectives etc.
Once you have done this I suggest browsing the Internet. For instance, on the BBC website you may very good articles on technology and information. You could also have a look at commercial websites such as Cisco (telecommunications) along with their specific products these websites may contain some very interesting and updated information on the subject.
George Steed, Polska
First: Develop a syllabus for the course.
Lesson plans will be a last step!
Nataliya Pomerantseva, Russia
I teach at Kazan Technological University. We use a mandatory book however it's a very old one and I feel I have to introduce material on my own. For example, I substitute texts for reading with texts that I like, many of them I find at en.wikipedia.org. Then I complete them with pre-reading exercises and some productive activities. And, of course, the Internet is of great help
Iryna Zuyenok, Ukraine
If I were in your shoes, I would start from needs analysis. If possible ask your boss what's the aim of the course being introduced: What it is for and why it has been opened? Then have a talk to teachers/specialists in Technology to discover where your students will use English. I mean what English language skills will they need for communicating on Technology. (E.g. Reading for information, writing e-mails, instructions or specifications, listening to instructions, discussing special matters in the area or making mini-presentations during seminars etc.) Together with the specialists you may decide on a range of specific topics or notions that help you to choose the texts and design the materials for your class. You can also have a look in textbooks on Technology for your students in your native language to see what they learn and do at their classes. Secondly, analyse your learners: What's their proficiency level in English, what are their learning needs and wants. For all these you may use different tools and instruments such as interviews, questionnaires, etc. When you are ready with the learning objectives of your students, text types, topics and vocabulary and functions, try to predict the expected outcomes of your course and the lesson, in particular. When you are ready with the outcomes, decide on the content of the lesson (see above) and choose how you will help your students to reach the outcomes. Here you will need texts (adapted to students' level) from different sources in the area and activities designed by yourself. Also decide on the assessment tools and assessment criteria to be used at the lesson and at the end of the course.