Observation Table:

Reasons for speaking in the classroom

Class: KG2-5
Number of learners: 25 learners
Length of lesson: 45 minutes
Teacher observed Language: English ______
Learning Goals: develop English language

Materials used: story

Reason for speaking Mohammed Maryam Mubarak

Learner repeats word / phrase E–A E–A A

1 after teacher – whole class
Learner repeats word / phrase A A A
2 after teacher – group / pair
Learner repeats word / phrase E E A
3 after teacher – individual
Learner answers direct question E E
4 from teacher
Learner answers open question E
5 from teacher
6 Learner asks teacher a question A A A

Learner answers a partner in A A A

7 Paired work activity
Learner answers a group member A A A
8 in group work activity
Learner answers the teacher E A A
9 informally
10 Learner answers peer informally E–A A A

11 Other reason for speaking A A A

 Reflections on Observation Task 1: Chit Chat

Read the questions below and write your answers

What was the most common reason for speaking?
The most common reason of asking is to answer the teacher’s questions.

What was the least common reason for speaking?

Not knowing the answer.

Were there any boxes with no ticks?

yes

How much of the lesson was spent on the teacher using ‘Teacher Talk’, in your opinion?

One-third of the time the teacher speaks. Teacher try to let students talk more to develop their
language
Do you feel it was an appropriate amount of talk? Why / Why not?
Yes, because it helps the students in their speaking.

What do you think is an appropriate sequence of interaction patterns?

The teacher should encourage students who participated.

Now consider how much Arabic was used. Do you think it was used appropriately?
Why? / Why not?
Arabic was used more than English because it’s the mother language. But the students should
speak English even in groups so they develop their English language.

Reflection for Bonus Points

You do not have to do this activity. However, if you want a higher grade, you must do it. If you
are interested in thinking about this subject more, consider the following reflection.

Choose one of the following questions (A, B, or C) and write your answer:

A. Why is talk important for teachers?

In my opinion most English teachers knows how to speak English but they don’t have a good
English accent so the more they talk the more they learn.

Why is talk important for learners? (Think about the What and How.)
 Talk is important for learners because it helps them to improve their speaking skill and it
may also let the learner be confident while speaking.

B. Why is it important to think about using English for varied purposes in the classroom? For
example, not just for giving an example, but also for correcting, for praising, for everyday uses,
like asking for help, or asking to borrow something?

C. What role do you think Arabic should play in the English classroom?