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Unit four presented the teaching of new language and how to approach each element: grammar, vocabulary and function. The unit illustrated how different activities and approaches can be incorporated into an effective lesson plan. What I obtained from the unit were examples of activities that can be employed in each area and how to achieve a well-rounded and purposeful lesson while keeping students stimulated. Producing the tasks at the end of the unit, it became evident to me that organization and understanding the timing of activities is essential. For example, in order to complete a patchwork lesson teaching function at an elementary level it might require a 2 hour lesson. It is also is evident that listening tasks, at any level and for any of the three language goals is very important d the listening material should be appropriate for form, function and task. In the activate phase of a lesson roleplays could be quite effective and engaging for students at any level. However, I believe writing in some form would be an important element in any Study phase. My own experience with foreign language reminds me that writing gives a student an important task to employ new vocabulary, use grammatical structures properly and in the correct forms and recognize and activate functions. This could be used at any level, whether using scrambled sentences at an elementary level up to composition at an advanced level. As English is a language that can often give students problems with pronunciation, I think using phonetic symbols when introducing vocabulary is essential. Students could then discover pronunciation of new words on their own and perhaps should be taught early in a course. Perhaps incorporated into the Engage phase of a vocabulary lesson, then a word/pronunciation search in the study phase. The unit also stimulated thinking about class organization: what activities and what language works best in at group. An example would be trying smaller groups creating lists of leisure activities in the engage phase. Listening to people talking about leisure activities and completing gap fills in study. Pair work talking about a sport and how its played. It is clear, however, that a teacher can be creative but must always bear in mind time, the group you are teaching, student level, and the clear goal of the lesson.
