The foreign language teacher plans all kinds of work he must do: he plans the essential course (lessons), the optional course (if any), and the extra-curricular work.
Educational workin Englishin each gradeis plannedin the form ofa blueprintfor the wholeacademic year. A blueprintis a sampletheme(calendar) plan.
Thematic (Calendar) Planningis preparedin summerduring the holiday.Calendar plan is an educational andmethodical document based on the course programme, which is worked out in accordance with the typical educational programme including Stateeducational standards, a course plan, educational aids and a calendar training schedule. Thematic (Calendar) Plan isanobligatory form of teacher’s activity for the whole year. Themes and the number of hours of lesson plans must correspond thematic- calendar plan. It is worked out at the methodological association and approved by theDeputyDirector annuallyin advance of theacademic year. Only then it isallowed to be usedin the educational process.
Tasks of thematic-calendar planning:
· distribution ofthe content ofthe educational materialprovided bythe program in lessons;
· determination of the sequenceandthe relationship between theindividual unitsand themesof the program;
· distribution of time on units andthemesof the discipline;
· definition of types of lessons, educational materials, learners’ independent work.
Thematic planis a tablewith some columns, amount of which can vary. The obligatory of them are:
· lesson number
· lesson theme
· the number of hours
· thedateoflesson
· thetypeoflesson
· visualaidsandequipment
· independent(classroom, home) work of learners
There can be some additional columns as, for example:
· methods, techniquesandtechnologies
· goals and objectivesof the lessonon the formation ofcompetencies: informative, communicative and problem-solving.
Inclusion of the last column in thematic-calendar plans of many educational institutions of Kazakhstan is due to the modernization of Kazakhstan's educational system. Convincing evidence of the dynamic development of Kazakhstan's education is the adoption and realization of the Law "On Education", the introduction of new educational state standards, update of the content and structure of the system of education on the basis of traditions of national and world culture and contemporary experience.
According to this fact, this column determines the goals and objectives of each lesson to build competencies - generalized methods of action to ensure productive use of the acquired knowledge into practice. Formation of necessary competencies in a broad sense is to prepare learners of even primary school to life in a rapidly changing informative and technological world, the development of ICT skills and work with information, the development of cognitive, creative, individual abilities of learners, logical and critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, as well as teamwork.
Formation of competences is realized by means of appropriate techniques and technologies, such as informative and communicative, learner-centered, activate technologies, gaming, communicative and demonstrative methods.
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Lesson planning
There are no ready formulas for lesson planning. It may depend on many factors:
Ø learners’ level: are they elementary, pre-intermediate, etc.
Ø learners abilities: are they homogeneous or are they mixed
Ø learners’ needs and interests
Ø learners’ motivation: what activities, topics, materials motivate them
Ø the number of learners
Ø attendance of learners
Ø previous knowledge: what have the learners already studied
Ø anticipated problems: are there any discipline problems?
The reasons of lesson planning:
For teachers
v It is important to conduct an effective lesson.
v It develops abilities to select, structure, and organize lesson content.
v It provides a framework or “road map” for the lesson: what teacher wants to do
v It determines the sequence and timing of activities.
v It helps to realize teacher’ principles and beliefs.
v It provides a record of what has been taught.
v It provides a sense of security.
v It is necessary for judgment
For learners
v It shows that the teacher thinks about the class.
v It shows the level of teacher’s preparation and professionalism
Problems
ü lack of time for planned activity
ü not all the students take an active part in the lesson
ü the students forgot to bring the material done
ü the teacher has already done the task
ü the tape/ CD doesn’t work
Solutions: Good teachers should remember that a plan is not a fixed scheme. They should be flexible to cope with problems and adapt a lesson plan. Sometimes learners themselves can propose something interesting in the lesson (topic for conversation, or enjoyable activity). A good teacher should take it into consideration, adapt the proposal and let students do it if it is necessary.