TEACHERS’ and learners’ language in the classroom

Using language appropriately for a range of classroom functions

How do we use language appropriately for a range of

classroom functions?
Using language appropriately means we use language in the
classroom which best suits the learners and the situation.
Classroom functions are the purposes for which teachers and
learners use language in the classroom. For teachers, these
purposes include,for example,to manage activities and
learning, to explain learning points and to move smoothly
from one stage of a lesson to the next.
The language teaching classroom.
_ T he language we use in the classroom must be appropriate
for the classroom function and for the
Level and the age of the learners.For example,we should
not use language that is too formal with primary learners or
language that is too babyish with older learners.
_ We need to GRADE our LANGUAGE to suit the language
level and age of the learners. Grading language means
choosing to use classroom language that is at or below the
language level of the learners.For example,with beginners we
use simple words and phrases,but with higher level our
language can be more complex.Grading means that our
language is at the right level of the learners understand to.
 TEACHERS’ and learners’ language in the classroom

Using language appropriately for a range of classroom functions

_ We need to sequence our language appropriately to

provide learners with learning opportunities.SEQUENCING
means using language in a logical order.This is particularly
important for explanations and instructions,for example: ‘
Listen.Work with a partner.’ Rather than ‘Work with a
partner.Listen.’
_ Learners can learn classroom language,just by hearing it
again and again.So it is important to use the same classroom
language for classroom functions at the early stages of
learning,for example:’Open your books and look at page...’
We can then build up these phrases to suit the learners’ level
and age.
_ We need to think about the language we are going to use
for diffrent classroom functions and make sure the language
we use is appropriate .Appropriate language will use the right
degree of formality for the learners,be well graded and
sequenced and clear.If we do not plan or think about the
language we use,we might use L1,or language which is too
complex,which would not be helpful to learning.
 TEACHERS’ and learners’ language in the classroom

Using language appropriately for a range of classroom functions

REFLECTION

Think about these comments from teachers.Which do you agree

with and why ?

1 I don’t nrrd to plan the language I use for giving instructions.I

just think of what to say at the time and I know when my
learners understand.
2 My learners speak the same L1 as I do.So it’s much better to use
the mother tongue for setting up activities and checking
understanding
3 I have a collection of different phrases that I use for managing
my classes.I choose from these phrases when I am planning my
lessons.I teach different levels,but I find I can use the same
language for each level.