ICELT C2-1

Introduction

Linguists investigating native-speakers speech (and writing) have, over the years, devised various different systems to describe how the language works.

(Harmer, 2001)

1. Profile of the Class

This assignment was based on an eighteen-student group, A1 level, first year of high school, ten females, and eight males. Since they come from different secondary schools and are still adapting to a new school’s rules and procedures, some of them need more supervision regarding discipline and working habits. Their degree of commitment is varied, some of them work diligently, and others need more motivation and attention. The main learning styles I could see were visual, linguistic and interpersonal.

2. Brief Lesson Outline

The lesson was based on the Literature book Alice’s adventures in Wonderland. As a warm-up activity the group mentioned outdoor sports, then, they went on Listening and Reading a chapter which evolved around Croquet. Later, they answered some Comprehension questions. Finally, they did a Speaking task in which they answered some questions about their favourite sport; shared the information, and received information about their partners as well.

3. Correct Samples

3.1 Category: Pronunciation

Context: Students were reading the answers of a Reading Comprehension exercise.

Sample: I am in a very strange land! [streɪndʒ]

Analysis: The student pronounces the word correctly. She has mastered the pronunciation of an S at the beginning of a word.

3.2 Category: Functional Language

Context: At the beginning of the class the teacher asks students to take their Literature book out. A student asks for confirmation.

Sample: Which book do we need?

Analysis: The proper election of question word indicates the student has acquired the classroom language properly.

3.3 Category: Word order

Context: Students are joining words with a line in order to make a sentence and find an image.

Sample: I can see a strange heart.

Analysis: Student has used the correct adjective + noun order.

3.4 Category: Lexis

Context: Students are answering questions on the book and one of them answers a question regarding vocabulary.

Sample: I like soccer.

Analysis: The student shows that he has been processing the differences between American and British English.

3.5 Category: Discourse

Context: Students are discussing sports they enjoy.

Sample: A student asks his partner: How often do you go swimming?

Analysis: Student shows that he has a good command of the language, he uses frequency adverbs appropriately.

4. Incorrect Samples

4.1 Category: Pronunciation

Context: Teacher was reviewing answers to Comprehension exercises with the group.

Sample: Student answers: There are a lot of animals sitting [saItting] in the courtroom.

Correction: The student should have pronounced [sItting]

Analysis: This shows that the student still has problems with the pronunciation

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