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This unit firstly gives me an idea about why teachers should plan lessons. A lesson plan has a few important functions:
1. An aid to planning: Writing down the plan helps me to think logically through the stages relevant to the available time.
2. A working document: A lesson plan helps me to keep on target and gives me something to refer to during the lesson.
3. A record: A lesson plan can act as a record of what a class has done and which materials have been used.
Each teacher will have their own way of writing down a lesson plan. A plan can be written as a formal plan, jotted notes, or logged details into class notebook. In all cases, accurate records are advisable, so I should note down changes during the the actual lesson. There are several basic principles which I need to take into account while creating a lesson plan.
This unit also gives a list of some practical things I can do, on top of a prepared lesson plan, to make sure the lesson goes smoothly.
Though what to be included in a lesson plan is up to the individual, all of the following is recommended in a plan:
1. Learner objectives: what the students are expected to be able to do by the end of the lesson.
2. Personal aims: what I wish to achieve from the lesson.
3. Language point: the theme around which the lesson is based.
4. Teaching aids: materials and other aids that are needed in the lesson.
5. Anticipated problems: particular problems that the students (or I as the teacher) may have with the lesson.
6. Procedure: the activities used to achieve the learners' objectives.
7. Phase: Engage, Study or Activate stage of ESA teaching method
8. Timing: how long each activity is expected to take. I need to be realistic and flexible with my timing.
9. Interaction: who will be interacting at each stage of the lesson.
10. Class level: the level of ability that the class has with English language.
11. Number of students: anticipation of how many students will attend the class, to make sure that the planned activities are suitable for the class size.
12. Date/time: to keep a historical record of what I have done with a class and when.
13. Teacher's and observer's names (optional): may be useful if the class is being monitored.
A good teacher will want to monitor the quality of his/her own lessons. I can do this by evaluating my own lessons and make notes of what went well and where the lesson could have been improved.
Planning a sequence of lessons is quite similar to planning a single lesson, but I must consider some special issues:
1. Flexibility: making changes (when needed) to plans during lessons.
2. Goals: building goals for the students into a sequence of lessons.
3. Revision of lesson content: to ensure students retain the information.
4. Variety and balance: making sure all skills are included and given equal treatment, and incorporate a good variety and mix of activities.
