RECEPTIVE SKILLS

Task types for reading lessons (but many of these task types could be used for listening
lessons too)

Lead-in
Personalisation connected to topic of the text
Making predictions about the text using pictures and /or title
Brainstorm ideas about the topic and use a mind map on the board
Learners make questions according to what they’d like to know from the text

Why? To set a context

To activate schemata
To get students interested in the topic

1st reading task

Checking against predictions
Choose the correct title / picture for the text
Matching pictures to paragraphs
Writing a title for the text
Putting the paragraphs in order
1 or 2 general comprehension questions (who is speaking, where are they?)
Assess the writer’s attitude to the subject (positive / negative)

Why? To give students a purpose

To develop students’ ability to gain a global understanding of the text
To give students practice with the reading sub-skills of skimming or scanning

2ND READING TASK

Multiple choice questions

Comprehension questions
True/False questions
Fill in forms and grids based on information in the text

Why? To develop students’ ability to read more intensively

To give students practice with the reading sub-skills of scanning or reading for detail

Guidelines for detailed reading tasks

-Ensure the answers are in the text
-Don’t use exactly the same wording as in the text
-Keep the questions in order
-Ensure there aren’t any typos
-Be consistent with the type of question, e.g. true/false or multiple choice
-Don’t use overly complicated language
-Don’t include too many questions (about 6 questions is an optimum number)
Follow-up productive skills (speaking or writing)
Role play based on characters in the text
Discussion questions related to the topic of the text
Learners reformulate the text using key prompt words
Questionnaire about the topic
Write an email to one of the characters
Write an alternative ending / write about what happens next

Why? To capitalise on the interest generated by the text

To give students the opportunity to respond to the text
To provide students with oral fluency connected to the topic or writing skills practice