Lesson
Planning
What to plan?
A Lesson
A series of lessons
How to plan?
LESSON FOCUS
GRAMMAR FUNCTION SKILL OTHER
Lesson aims
• What do my learners
already know (can do)?
• What do they need to
know (to do)?
Types of aims
Main aim
Subsidiary aims
Personal aims
Task
Types of aims
A main aim describes the most important thing we want the learners to achieve in a lesson
or sequence of lessons. For example, we may want learners to understand and practise
using new language; to reinforce or consolidate (i.e. to make stronger) the use of language
they already know by giving them further practice; or to revise language they have recently
learnt. If the main aim is to teach new language, the lesson plan should also include an
example of the target language we are planning to teach.
Subsidiary aims show the language or skills learners must be able to use well in order to
achieve the main aim of the lesson. Subsidiary aims usually contain language that is already
known to the learners. Stating both main and subsidiary aims is a good way of making sure
that our lesson plan focuses on what we want our learners to learn, or to be able to do.
Personal aims show what we would like to improve or focus on in our teaching. Like those
given in the first table above, these might be about improving the way we handle materials
and teaching aids (things we can use to support our teaching in the classroom) or particular
teaching techniques, or they might be about our relationship with the learners. Here are some
more examples:
•to reduce my TTT
•to get quieter learners to answer questions
•to get learners to work with different partners
•to get students to listen more to each other
Stage aims
In addition to the main and subsidiary aims, a lesson plan will also
include a number of stage aims, describing the particular purpose of
each stage (or short section) of the lesson. Look at the examples of
stage aims in this extract from a lesson plan.
How it works
• Identify main aims
• Identify subsidiary aims
• Design stage aims and activities
• Choose materials
• Look back
Key points
Coursebook aims
+
Students’ needs
Lesson aims
Key points
Aims
are not
procedures
“Listening to a recording”
vs
“Practice listening for gist”
Key points
Aims
should be
SPECIFIC
Key points
Look from the
learner’s point of view
(learner’s objectives and outcomes)
“Learners will be able to use/understand/express…”
Key points
Think if you want to
announce your aims
Lesson plan components
Aims
Procedures
Timing
Lesson plan components
Also think about:
• Materials
• Target language / skills
• Anticipated problems
• Solutions
Lesson plan components
Lesson plan components
A good lesson plan is…
Relevant (helps to achieve goals)
Includes different types of activities
As simple as possible
Clear and easy to read
Is divided into two parts (background
and procedure)
How do people learn a language?
How do people learn a language?
Sequencing lesson components
Sequencing lesson components
Alternatives to present-practice

02 lesson planning

  • 1.
  • 2.
    What to plan? ALesson A series of lessons
  • 3.
  • 4.
  • 5.
    Lesson aims • Whatdo my learners already know (can do)? • What do they need to know (to do)?
  • 6.
    Types of aims Mainaim Subsidiary aims Personal aims
  • 7.
  • 8.
    Types of aims Amain aim describes the most important thing we want the learners to achieve in a lesson or sequence of lessons. For example, we may want learners to understand and practise using new language; to reinforce or consolidate (i.e. to make stronger) the use of language they already know by giving them further practice; or to revise language they have recently learnt. If the main aim is to teach new language, the lesson plan should also include an example of the target language we are planning to teach. Subsidiary aims show the language or skills learners must be able to use well in order to achieve the main aim of the lesson. Subsidiary aims usually contain language that is already known to the learners. Stating both main and subsidiary aims is a good way of making sure that our lesson plan focuses on what we want our learners to learn, or to be able to do. Personal aims show what we would like to improve or focus on in our teaching. Like those given in the first table above, these might be about improving the way we handle materials and teaching aids (things we can use to support our teaching in the classroom) or particular teaching techniques, or they might be about our relationship with the learners. Here are some more examples: •to reduce my TTT •to get quieter learners to answer questions •to get learners to work with different partners •to get students to listen more to each other
  • 9.
    Stage aims In additionto the main and subsidiary aims, a lesson plan will also include a number of stage aims, describing the particular purpose of each stage (or short section) of the lesson. Look at the examples of stage aims in this extract from a lesson plan.
  • 10.
    How it works •Identify main aims • Identify subsidiary aims • Design stage aims and activities • Choose materials • Look back
  • 11.
  • 12.
    Key points Aims are not procedures “Listeningto a recording” vs “Practice listening for gist”
  • 13.
  • 14.
    Key points Look fromthe learner’s point of view (learner’s objectives and outcomes) “Learners will be able to use/understand/express…”
  • 15.
    Key points Think ifyou want to announce your aims
  • 16.
  • 17.
    Lesson plan components Alsothink about: • Materials • Target language / skills • Anticipated problems • Solutions
  • 18.
  • 19.
  • 20.
    A good lessonplan is… Relevant (helps to achieve goals) Includes different types of activities As simple as possible Clear and easy to read Is divided into two parts (background and procedure)
  • 21.
    How do peoplelearn a language?
  • 22.
    How do peoplelearn a language?
  • 23.
  • 24.
  • 25.