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Lesson PlanningIntroduction There are different opinions about the topic lesson planning. Some theories state that lesson planning is a disadvantage since it makes the class inflexible, rigid and teacher centered. Moreover, they argue that it does not satisfy enough the needs of the students. On the other hand, this flexibility and lack of preparation can create great difficulties for inexperienced teachers who have to spontaneously conduct a lesson where students decide what to do. Most teachers use a combination of completing a lesson plan and still incorporate an amount of flexibility. Lesson Plan Functions There are three main advantages of writing a lesson plan. Firstly, it can be an aid to planning because the teacher can write down his expectations of a lesson and plan how to achieve these goals. Secondly, it is a working document that gives the teacher a guideline throughout the lesson. Nevertheless, this guideline should not disturb the chance of teaching flexibility. And at last, the usage of maintaining records can be of great importance to a teacher in order to remember the date and content of every class. Principles of Lesson Planning There does not exist a universal rule in what way a lesson plan should be written. It depends on each teacher if the plan is formal or informal. However, some principles should always be applied in lesson planning. Lesson plans should be simple and structured in order to avoid confusion and to act as a possible reference during the lesson. The lesson activities have to be timed correctly and also fit the students? proficiency level. Additionally, to maintain the lesson flexible and interesting one has to avoid to skript any lesson. Organization is another main issue of lessons in order to ensure order and discipline. For example, checking your lesson plan, aids and materials, equipment and the student seating are necessary preparations before you begin any class. Moreover, the blackboard should be clean and all classroom materials properly arranged before the teacher welcomes the students who come in for class. Lesson Plan Structure Again, it depends on the individual teacher how to structure a lesson plan. But there are certain categories that are recommended to be used in any lesson plan. On the one hand, the learner objectives describe what the teacher wants the students to be able to do by the end of the lesson. On the other hand, the personal aims should be included and state the teacher?s personal goals of what to achieve and gain from the lesson. The context category should describe the topic, therefore what subject will be issued in the class. Every teacher needs learning materials for the class which are classified as teaching aids. Teachers may also want to add any anticipated problems that might arise for the teacher and the students and their possible solutions in order to avoid any conflicts. Moreover, the lesson plan should contain the number of students, date and time, class level, and the teacher?s and observer?s names. The following categories are probably the most important ones since they give the guideline for the class and thus are all interconnected with each other. The lesson is structured into three different phases. The ?Engage Phase? is the beginning when teacher has to catch the student?s interest. Secondly, the ?Study Phase? when the students emphasize on the studies of the language construction. Finally, the ?Activate Phase? where students should apply their acquired knowledge. Each phase has to be timed correctly (timing) with the appropriate procedures, also known as the learning activities to achieve the objectives of the lesson. At last, there is the interaction issue which states if the interaction is between teacher and students (T-S) or students and students (S-S). An example of student to student interaction would be a group work. Conclusion Monitoring each lesson is an important way to evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching and also to find possible improvements. Being a good teacher means also to plan a sequence of lessons with a variety, balance, flexibility, revision and goal setting in order to continually improve the lessons. Lesson planning can make the classes go more smoothly and therefore satisfy the students? needs.
