Using Public speaking Tasks in English Language Teaching

　
There are several clear advantages to using public speaking tasks in ELT.

I have highlighted three that I think are most noteworthy: practice with all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing), development of critical thinking skills, and improved learning.
These three advantages accompany both presentation and debate tasks. Debate tasks require more planning and involvement than presentations but are well worth the effort. In preparing for a debate, students practice reading and note-taking skills, and construct written arguments. Debate preparation also requires extensive collaboration and cooperation among teammates as they collect information and develop ideas. Whether you choose to include student presentations or debates in your curriculum, your students will certainly reap the benefits of integrated skills practice, critical thinking practice, and improved learning. Students will gain confidence in speaking and will learn to express themselves .
A sample debate warm-up activity follows.

1. Write potential topics on strips of paper. The topics should be in line with your learning objectives. If you would like to use these debates to simply get students speaking, think of topics your students can have fun with (e.g., cats are better than dogs, or red is better than blue).

2. Number students off in pairs, so that each pairing has a first and second speaker.

3. Give each pair a strip of paper with a topic written on it.

4. Give the first speakers three minutes to tell their partners the reasons they support the topic on their paper. Then, give the second speakers three minutes to respond and provide arguments against the topic.

5. Finally, ask if any students were persuaded to change their minds based on their partners’ arguments.

The Importance of Using Songs While Teaching English Classes

 

Function

The function of using songs while teaching English classes is to engage students in speaking and understanding the English language, while reinforcing the fundamentals of language and communication. Songs contain lyrics that are easy for students to follow and memorize and, therefore, easy to learn and understand. Teachers can use any variety of musical styles to encourage language comprehension.

Benefits

The main benefit of using songs in the classroom is the repetitive nature of singing and learning them. Repetition has been often proved invaluable in a classroom setting, especially for developing vocabulary and language skills. According to an April 2005 edition of the Translation Journal, "Behaviorists emphasize repetition of material so that it becomes a natural reaction for the student." As students repeat lyrics, they begin to understand the meaning of the words until it becomes a natural act. With this, students can understand the way English is used without even realizing they are learning.

Features

Songs feature many valuable elements to learning a language. They contain words to help students build vocabulary, which is especially helpful to non-native speakers. Through listening to and performing songs, students are introduced to grammar, diction, idioms and dialects that increase comprehension and widen their understanding of how English is used. This can be reinforced by providing students with a written copy of the lyrics, allowing students to hone reading and comprehension skills.

Considerations

For best results in using music in English lessons, teachers may want to consider using songs that are easy to learn and follow. "Silly" songs that contain easy to remember lyrics are often easy for students to process and understand. If using songs to teach English to non-native speakers, it may be beneficial to translate songs that may be familiar to students into English and perform as a class if possible. The subject matter of the songs should generally be relatable to the student, and if possible, address real-life situations.

Potential

Using music when teaching English, especially as a second language to non-native speakers, is a great way to create a friendly, comfortable atmosphere for students to learn. When students feel at ease and in a safe environment, they have the potential to better retain information. The nature of the music changes the act of learning English to the act of experiencing English, which may allow students to focus on the core principles of the language in a manner unlike traditional grammar lessons or drills.