Teach English in Yuanlong Zhen - Tianshui Shi

Teaching aids can be used to make lessons more interesting, effective and less dependent on textbooks. Following are some of the resources often found in classrooms and study centres: 1. The board: The board work should be planned and organised. It is a useful idea to make a board plan on a paper beforehand. Boards can be used for writing, drawing, sticking things on, projecting overhead transparencies etc. Boards draw the attention of students very effectively. Whiteboards are more preferred than traditional chalkboards as they are easier and much cleaner to use. There are a few basic principles for board-work. The board should be clean and the writing should be legible. Use separate columns for vocabulary, grammar and notes. Use different colours or underline to highlight particular language point to focus. Only the essential items should be used on the board. The students should be involved in the writing process. The board must be clean at the end of the lesson. 2. Interactive white boards: Interactive whiteboards are also known as smart boards. Whiteboards require their own software and many manufacturers produce interactive classroom lessons and activities to accompany their own product. All IWBs require to be connected to some form of computer or laptop. A few basic principles to be followed while using an IWB are: a. Test and have a backup plan. b. Use proper background lighting and positioning of the IWB. c. Teachers need to take time to understand the quirks of the operating system and the lesson software provided d. Some schools will have purchased IWB lesson plans which drastically cuts down the time teachers need to prepare the lessons. e. Teachers need to avoid over-complicating an IWB lesson plan to the point it loses the focus of the grammar point or target language while making their own lesson plans f. When using a non-IWB applications the pen supplied reverts to being a simple remote mouse. The teacher needs to be familiar with functions such as switching between the applications smoothly. 3. Overhead projector: Overhead projectors are useful for showing pre-prepared overhead transparencies or as an alternative to the board. OHTs draw the students? attention. It helps teacher avoid having his back to the students OHTs can model grammar and present vocabulary, for timed reading and gap-filling exercises. OHTs can be kept in a file and can be used again. In spite of advantages, there are a few disadvantages. Classrooms need a surface that is not bleached out by direct sunlight. Some OHPs are complicated to set up effectively. The classroom needs to be of a sufficient size to allow for effective projection. The classroom may need reorganising to allow for an uninterrupted projection path. 4. Visual aids: Most common visual aids are real objects pictures and photos. Visual aids explain the meaning more quickly and effectively thus reducing the teachers? talk time. They can simulate discussion and elicit language. They add variety and interest in the classroom. They can be used as prompts in communication games. 5. Worksheets and work cards: They can be used as prompt materials. Cards can be used for communication activities and presenting new vocabulary. 6. The cassette recorder: Blank cassettes can be used to record authentic materials and students? communications. Some course books are accompanied by cassettes to be used in the classroom. There are a few guidelines to use cassettes. Before the lesson, the teacher must make sure how the machine works. It must be set to appropriate volume level. During the discussion of what the students heard in the first listening, rewind to the right place for the second listening. 7. CD player: CDs are now widely used as primary audio source in the classroom. Teachers must make sure they know the exact track numbers intended to use. Teachers must know how to operate the machine properly. 8. Videos and DVDs: Videos can be used for presenting information, giving background to a topic, building listening comprehension skills etc. Videos are often used to stimulate discussion and for communicative activities. They are more useful than audio cassettes because videos hold the students? attention more and it is much easier for the students to understand as they can see and hear. 9. Video camera: Video cameras can be used to record the students during an activity and then play it back to them for analysis and discussion. The students can also use the camera to record aa film as part of an activity. They can also use the camera as part of the surveys. Some training for both students and teachers is necessary to ensure effective usage. 10. Dictionaries: A good dictionary will help students with meaning, pronunciation, usage and produce language. Good examples of English-English dictionaries are the ?learner?s? dictionary produced by oxford university press available at elementary, intermediate and advanced levels. 11. Course books: Course books contain a set of materials like students? book, workbooks, cassettes and teachers? book. They are either readily available online or created by the teacher. 12. Resource books: They include grammar exercise books and communication games book. Resource books are useful for adapting, supplementing and replacing material from a course book. They are extremely popular with teachers as they give a host of ideas and activities to help make classes more interesting and stimulating. 13. Photocopiers: Almost every school have access to a photocopier. They are necessary for copying materials that aren?t contained within the students? course books. The copies must be clear and attractively presented. Wastage of paper should be avoided. Some basic training must be provided to operate the photocopier machine. 14. Computers: Computer generated worksheets and activities allows the teacher to store materials electronically to adapt or use again at a later date. A word processor such as MS word enables teacher to put text and images in a professional manner than handwritten or photo copied worksheets. EFL CDs can also be played during classroom activities as many course books are now equipped with CDs. Computers can be useful reference tools. Computers can have installed dictionaries, encyclopaedias and locally stored resources. Some computers are also equipped with internet to access any material on web. Students can use emails to communicate electronically all over the world. Many other sources of learning like YouTube, podcasts, and MP3s are also available on the internet. 15. Online source: There are thousands of sources that a TEFL teacher can use online. A few resources are Cambridge International Dictionaries online, The Dict Development Group, Englishclub.net, BBC English Radio, Business English special Interest Group (BESIG), 1-language.com and foreignborn.com.