Engaging Language Learners with Biography-Based Lessons, Units, and Courses

Autor/inn/en	La Luzerne-Oi, Sally; Korschenmann, Jean
Titel	Engaging Language Learners with Biography-Based Lessons, Units, and Courses
Quelle	In: English Teaching Forum, 56 (2018) 3, S.13-25 (13 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1559-663X
Schlagwörter	Leitfaden; Unterricht; Lehrer; English (Second Language); Second Language Learning; Second Language Instruction; Textbooks; Biographies; Prereading Experience; Reading Comprehension; Cues; Vocabulary Development; Teaching Methods; Reading Tests; Units of Study; Writing Instruction; Listening Skills; Oral Language + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Lesson concept; Instruction; Unterrichtsentwurf; Unterrichtsprozess; Teacher; Teachers; Lehrerin; Lehrende; English as second language; English; Second Language; Englisch als Zweitsprache; Zweitsprachenerwerb; Fremdsprachenunterricht; Textbook; Text book; Schulbuch; Lehrbuch; Biography; Biografie; Biographie; Leseverstehen; Stichwort; Wortschatzarbeit; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Lesetest; Lerneinheit; Schreibunterricht; Oral interpretation; Mündlicher Sprachgebrauch
Abstract	English language teaching (ELT) textbooks, especially reading textbooks, often include biographical reading passages (Tomas, Kostka, and Mott-Smith 2013) with accompanying pre-reading questions, post-reading comprehension questions, vocabulary exercises, and prompts for writing or discussion. Teachers often begin reading lessons by providing background information, vocabulary instruction, and pre-reading activities. Students then read the textbook passage and answer comprehension questions. Unfortunately, lessons built solely on these routines frequently resemble reading-comprehension test-preparation activities. With relatively little effort on the part of the teacher, however, biography-based reading lessons can become more engaging, foster deeper understanding of the text, and provide valuable language practice with speaking, listening, and writing--in addition to reading. This article shows how stand-alone biographies, like those found in English-language textbooks, can be enhanced with integrated-skills practice. The article details how to build content-based units of instruction around biographies, and it describes courses developed around a series of biography-focused units. Sample activities and resource materials are shared as well. (ERIC).
Anmerkungen	US Department of State. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of English Language Programs, SA-5, 2200 C Street NW 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20037. e-mail: etforum@state.gov; Web site: http://americanenglish.state.gov/english-teaching-forum-0
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01