How to teach writing in english 11 effectively at nga son high school

How to teach Writing in English 11 effetively at Nga Son High School [DOCUMEN MỤC LỤC PART I: INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………….Error: Reference source not found PART II CONTENTS…………………………………….…………………….3 Identifying the problems in teaching and learning writing………………… 2.Recommendation…………………………………………………………… 3.Suggestions for some popular forms of “warm up” activities………… The sample planning lesson ……………………………………… …… 12 PART III: CONCLUSION…………………………………………………… 19 PART IV REFERENCES…………………………………………………… 20 The author: Nguyễn Thị Tuyến Page How to teach Writing in English 11 effetively at Nga Son High School [DOCUMEN PART I: INTRODUCTION *************** English is a main subject in high school being taught in three or four periods a week The test English writing has become an inevitable part of almost every standarlized examination, especially in the important examinations such as the GCSE (General Certificate Secondary Education Examination) Writing is one of the four skills that we have to acquire in the process of English learning To master a language in general and English in particular we must develop all four skills - listening, speaking, reading and writing However, how we can develop each of them successfully is a big problem for all concerned In the process of learning a language, especially English, writing is considered as the last language skill to be acquired It is last but not least and I find it rather difficult to it well because writing in one’s mother tongue is difficult but writing in a foreign language is far more difficult Besides, when teachers teach writing, they usually fall into teaching grammar structures and focus on correction On the whole they mainly provide students with sentence structures, sets of grammar rules, then give them a task and ask them to complete the task As a result, the students become passive to get correct answers or to correct grammar errors But we, English teachers, should remember that the main point of teaching writing is teaching the students how to write, not to test their writing.When teaching writing skill to the 11th students of Nga Son High School I found the problems in teaching and learning writing skill I applied some strategies that help my students in my school to write more effectively in writing lessons Thanks to that strategies, my students achieve the surprising success Today, I would like to present: “How to teach Writing in English 11 effetively at Nga Son High School” Hopefully, with that experiences will be more motivating for the teachers to teach and make progress in teaching writing, their students will be interested in writing lessons Moreover,the theme would be shared with any colleagues who had the same problem or anyone who is interested in this theme The author: Nguyễn Thị Tuyến Page How to teach Writing in English 11 effetively at Nga Son High School [DOCUMEN PART II CONTENTS *************** Identifying the problems in teaching and learning writing 1.1 The problems in getting students to write in the classroom - Students don’t understand things what they will write about - They have nothing to write because they have lack of ideas and limited vocabulary to express their opinions and they are disabled to use structures style or language in English standards - They don’t have enough time to write - Some students don’t participate in groupworks 1.2.The typical mistakes a teacher might get - Teacher doesn’t get students to think about the topic or situation; to collect all their idea, language focus (vocabulary, grammar) before writing about it (not perfectly) - Teacher doesn’t set up a pre task - Teacher neither gives clear instructions nor checks them - Teacher doesn’t give suitable framework or outline - Sometimes teacher gives tasks without helpful cues - Teacher doesn’t a lot of assisting weaker students Recommendation 2.1.Designing strategies for improvement From the comments, ideas and suggestions from the students, colleagues, professional books and my own teaching experience I designed the following strategies to improve the problem: -Setting up a pre-task (doesn’t talk about what the students must do, instead shows them what/ how to by giving a demonstration with suitable framework/ outline/ helpful cues) - Giving clear instructions (keep them short and simple) and check them - Making sure that students are motivated to work and be more interested in the writing lessons - Paying more attention to all students, especially, a lot of assisting weaker students; to hold classroom in effective working - Managing time well in each part of the writing lesson 2.2 Designing strategies for free writing On English 11 textbook, there are a range of types to practice writing with narrative, writing letters, describing statistics from a chart or a table or writing a report or a biography….When facing a free writing many students would probably find it quite difficult and make many mistakes If so they would find the task frustrating and probably not learn very much from it Students would probably approach the task in different way and produce a wide variety of different paragraphs Thus the only way to correct their work would be individually, book by book, this would be very time consuming for the The author: Nguyễn Thị Tuyến Page How to teach Writing in English 11 effetively at Nga Son High School [DOCUMEN teachers.Teachers should help students progress beyond very controlled writing to free writing by guiding their writing • Giving cues • Giving a short text as a model • Doing oral preparation for the writing Modelling - Reading a model and noticing certain grammatical features/ vocabulary/ useful expressions/ text organisation/ style… - Putting different parts of the text onto a writing frame - Sequencing a jumbled text - Comparing and contrasting two forms of text of the same genre Some examples of oral preparation for the writing - Discussing - Brainstorming - Observing and interpreting photos or artwork - Watching video clips - Using writing templates/ frames / cloze exercises - Mapping - Brain writing - Using matrix 2.3 Teachers should master the following writing techniques:  Pre-writing techniques - Using a drill - Using a listening text - Using a reading text - Using a survey - Using picture dictation  While-writing techniques - Transformation - Substitution tables - Substitution boxes - Gap-fill - Questions and answers - Ordering  Post-writing techniques - Correction (Ss correct and re-draft their texts) - Sharing and comparing (Sharing when they write texts based on different topics; comparing when they write texts based on the same topics) - Exhibition (Ss share, compare, admire, pick a winner, copy others…) Suggestions for some popular forms of “warm up” activities The author: Nguyễn Thị Tuyến Page How to teach Writing in English 11 effetively at Nga Son High School [DOCUMEN Warm up activities are very important to excite the atmosphere of the class and to increase students’ motivation in the lesson, if students are motivated, they will engage themselves more in classroom activities I can use matching games, pictures, questions, …… These are some the following examples about warm up activities in my teaching writing: UNIT –FRIENDSHIP - D.WRITING Warm- up: Name Poem -Teacher asks each student to use his/her partner’s name to write an acrostic poem He /She has to use the adjectives beginning with the letters of the name to describe his/her friends’s personality or appearance -Teacher calls on some students to write their poem on the board -Teacher checks with the class Example: + Lan is my friend: Talented,intelligent,easy-going,nice + Nam is my friend: Tall and thin,helpful to everyone,active in class,neat and tidy, generous in giving help Teacher leads to the new lesson: These adjecties can help you write a description of a person Our lesson today is to write a description of a friend of yours UNIT 2– PERSONAL EXPERIENCES - D.WRITING Warm- up: Describing the picture: In deep water -Teacher showsapictureto students and ask them to describe it using the cues given -It/ a hot day -The man/stop/ a small deserted beach -He/ not have/ swimming- trunks -There/ be/ no people/ in sight -The man/take off/ all clothes/ swim out to the sea/ and relax in the water -When/he/ look back/ a coach arrived -There /be/ a lot of people/ stand on the sand Expected answers: It was hot day The man stopped at a small deserted beach He didn’t have swimming- trunks with him but it was early in the morning, there were no people insight.The man took off all his clothes and swam out to the sea and relaxed in the water.When he looked back at the beach, a coach had arrived and there were a lot of people standing on the sand to have a picnic Lead in: Today, we learn how to write a personal letter telling about a past experience The author: Nguyễn Thị Tuyến Page How to teach Writing in English 11 effetively at Nga Son High School [DOCUMEN UNIT 3–A PARTY D.WRITING Warm–up: Open prediction -Deliver handouts -Ask students to work in pairs to read the following expressions and decide what types of letters can go with them: + George and I are having a party on Saturday, and we’d love you to come + Let us know if you can come 1.Letter of invitation Thank-you letter -Call on some pairs to speak out their answers -Check their answers with the whole class Key:Letter of invitation Lead in: Today, you will learn how to write an informal letter of invitation to invite a person to a party? UNIT 4- VOLUNTEER WORK - D.WRITING Warm–up: Game: Jumbled word Teacher asks students to work out the anagram of the following word Example: STANHK Key: THANKS Lead in: Elicit the answers from students: when you say “thanks”? In today’s lesson, you’ll learn how to write a formal letter to express gratitude or thanks UNIT 6- COMPETITIONS - D.WRITING Warm- up: Gueessing game - Prepare a picture of an English speaking competition -Don’t let students see the picture,then divide the class into groups -Move the picture quickly or times so that students can’t see what’s in the picture clearly The author: Nguyễn Thị Tuyến Page How to teach Writing in English 11 effetively at Nga Son High School [DOCUMEN -Have students guess the competition in the picture by asking Yes/No questions.Within minutes which group can guess the picture will be the winner.Then teacher declares the winning group Lead in: If you intend to take part in an English speaking competition, what will you do? In today’s lesson, you’ll learn how to write a letter of replying UNIT 7- WORLD POPULATION - D.WRITING Warm–up: Continent recognition -Teacher divides the class into teams -Teacher gives each group a set of cards and tell them they have to match the continents with their names in minutes.The group who write faster and has more correct answers will be the winner -Teacher checks students’ understanding of instructions and have students start the game, then teacher declares the winner Lead in: In today’s lesson, we’ll learn how to write a paragraph of 100- 120 words, describing the information in the chart UNIT 8-CELEBRATIONS - D.WRITING Warm–up: Gueessing game -Teacher asks students to work in groups to answer the question : when these activities take place ? -Teacher gives each group a handout with the following sentences on : It’s a national holiday Schools and offices close These are parades along the streets, meetings,celebrations to remember those who died for country’s independence Children gather at night, going round with their colorful lanterns,watching lion or dragon dance,sharing mooncakes in the full moon light Husbands,son,lovers buy flowers or gifts for their mothers,wives or lovers They also offer to the cooking for the whole family on this day Students visit their teachers with flowers, cards or small gifts to show their gratitude - Teacher invites representatives from the groups to give their answers -Teacher gives feedback Expected answer : The author: Nguyễn Thị Tuyến Page How to teach Writing in English 11 effetively at Nga Son High School [DOCUMEN 1.Independence Day Women’s day 2.Mid-Autumn Festival Teacher’s day  Teacher leads to the new lesson: In today’s lesson, we’ll learn how to write a description of one the popular celebrations in Vietnam UNIT 9-THE POST OFFICE - D.WRITING Warm–up -Teacher hangs a chart with the following adjecties: -Teacher asks students to read the adjecties and put those adjecties in the correct part of the table can make people / things satisfied or dissatisfied polite,rude,cold,helpful,spacious,cramped,large,small,good,bad,reasonable, expensive,cheap,arrogant,punctual,reliable Satisfied Dissatisfied polite,helpful,spacious,large,good, rude,cold,cramped,small,bad reasonable,cheap,punctual,reliable expensive,arrogant  Teacher leads to the new lesson: In today’s lesson, we’ll learn how to write a letter of express satisfaction ( or dissatisfation) UNIT 10: NATURE IN DANGER - D.WRITING Warm–up:Gueessing game Show the back of a picture of a National Park to the Students Teacher gives some information about the picture Cat Ba National Park The author: Nguyễn Thị Tuyến Page How to teach Writing in English 11 effetively at Nga Son High School [DOCUMEN -Teacher asks students to guess what the national park is -It has a loy of tropical forests,beatiful landscapes, rareanimals -It is in the North- East of Vietnam -It is on an island 20km east of HaiPhong Key: It is Cat Ba National Park Lead in: Have you ever been to Cat Ba? If students say Yes:ask students: When did you go? What is Cat Ba like? If students say No: Would you like to know some information about Cat Ba? Today I would like to introduce to you some more information about Cat Ba National Park UNIT 11: SOURCES OF ENERGY - D.WRITING Warm–up: Game: Hot Seat -Teacherputs two chairs in front of the class -Teacher asks students to work in two groups One person from each group sits on each chair -Write a word on the board The others in their group explain the word without using the exact word on the board -When the person on the chair can say out the word correctly, their group will get one mark It’s time to change another student to continue the game -The words chosen for the game: petro, coal, energy, proportion, nuclear, hydroelectricity -The group that scores more points will win the game -Teacher declares the winning group Lead in: Do you know how much energy your country consume in a year? To know how to read and to write a chart of energy consumption, we will study the lesson today Unit 12: The Asian Games - D.WRITING Warm–up: Competition game- Network -Teacher prepares a handout with a network of the word “ The facilities of the Asian Games” - Teacher divides the class into groups and gives each group a handout, asks students to complete the network - The winner will be the group with the quickest and correct answers The facilities of the AsianGames The author: Nguyễn Thị Tuyến Page How to teach Writing in English 11 effetively at Nga Son High School [DOCUMEN Expected answer: -National stadium / local stadium -National sport centre and training areas -Sport buidings and roads to sport buildings -Car parks -Hotels and guest houses -Facilities for disabled athletes Lead in: Ask students: Suppose Vietnam is going to hold the coming Asian Games What facilities does our country needed to have? To go to the details,today we are going to write a paragraph to describe the preparation for the Games UNIT 13:HOBBIES - D.WRITING Warm up -Teacher gets students to work in groups and asks students to find words going with COLLECT -Teacher calls on some groups to present their ideas,then sums up the class’ideas Expected answers: Stamps, books, magazines, stickers,dolls,toy cars,old money,coins,stuffed animals,pens,pencils,bottle caps,key rings… Lead in: In today’s lesson, you are going to write about a collection UNIT 15: SPACE CONQUEST - D.WRITING Warm–up : Picture guessing -Teacher shows students a picture of Neil Amstrong and asks students: Look at this picture and say who he is ? Is he a Russian or an American astronaut ? Who did he set foot on the moon with ? -Teacher asks students to work in pairs and exchange their answers - Teacher checks their answers with the whole class Expected answers: The author: Nguyễn Thị Tuyến Page 10 How to teach Writing in English 11 effetively at Nga Son High School [DOCUMEN 1.He is Neil Amstrong 2.He is an American astronaut 3.He set foot on the moon with Buzz Aldrin Lead in: In today’s lesson, you are going to write the biography of Neil Amstrong UNIT 16:THE WONDERS OF THE WORLD - D.WRITING Warm- up: Name the pictures below -Teacher shows the students some pictures and ask them to name the pictures - T asks Ss to work in groups and write the answers on the cardboards as soon as possible ( The quickest group with the correct answer will be the winner) - T calls others to give remarks then give corrective feedback if necessary Expected answers: -The One Pillar Pagoda ( in Ha Noi) - Ponagar Cham Towers ( in NhaTrang) - Thien Mu Pagoda ( in Hue) - Non Nuoc Pagoda ( in Da Nang) Lead in: In today’s lesson, you are going to write a report about the visit to the Ponagar Cham Towers in Nha Trang In this section, I would like to demonstrate an example of a lesson plan ( Unit – Tieng Anh 11 : Writing) in which I apply the techniques above UNIT – A PARTY - D.WRITING I.Objectives: The author: Nguyễn Thị Tuyến Page 11 How to teach Writing in English 11 effetively at Nga Son High School [DOCUMEN 1.Knowledge: + General knowledge: Students learn to write an informal letter + Language: Words used in writing an informal letter 2.Skills Writing an informal letter of invitation Educational aim By the end of this lesson, students will be able to: + define the format and structure of an informal letter of invitation + write an informal letter of invitation II.Teaching and learning aids 1.Teacher’s preparation Student’s book, student’s workbook 2.Students’ preparations Student’s book, student’s workbook; notebooks, poster III.Methods Integrated, mainly communicative IV.Organization of activities 1.Class organization (1m) 2.Procedure Time Teacher’sactivities Students’activities Rationale 1.Warm up 5ms -Deliver handouts -Ask students to work in pairs to read the following expressions and decide what types of letters can go with them: + George and I are having a party on Saturday, and we’d love you to come + Let us know if you can come 1.Letter of invitation 2.Thank- you letter -Call on some pairs to speak out their answers -Check their answers with the whole class The author: Nguyễn Thị Tuyến Students work in pairs, discussing and choosing the answers on the handouts as soon as possible Motivation is done with expressions which will make Ss more involved and interested in the lesson This also helps increase teacher-student and letter student2 Thank-you student Key: Letter of invitation interaction Page 12 How to teach Writing in English 11 effetively at Nga Son High School [DOCUMEN Lead in: -Have you ever invited your friend to a party ? -How you say to invite a friend of yours to the party? Today, you will learn how to write an informal letter of invitation to invite a person to a party? Pre- writing 15ms Activity 1: Answering the questions (task 1, p.37) -Teacher asks students to work in pairs to answer the questions - Teacher calls on some students to give the answers - Teacher goes over the answers with the class Activity : Letter The author: Nguyễn Thị Tuyến Students can answer Encourage the questions, it is up students to to students Expected answers: give their Occasions for giving general opinion parties: birthday, graduation, wedding anniversary, moving to a new house, family gathering, Christmas, New Year, etc Dressing codes: Formal: dresses, highheel shoes for women; suits and ties for men Informal: anything can do: jeans, T—shirt, skirts, etc Presents give to: anything can do: books, CDs, flowers, scarves, ties, paperweights, pens, bags, hats, etc Sometimes people might want to bring wine as a gift Page 13 How to teach Writing in English 11 effetively at Nga Son High School [DOCUMEN Completion (task 2, p.38) Teachingvocabulary: -Teacher teaches some new words which appear in Read the new words Task2 so that students can and copy down understand the lesson more clearly: + invite (v): mời => invitation (n): sựmời + refreshments (n): đồănnhanh + serve (v): phụcvụ +take place (v): diễnra +hold = organise (v): tổchức +intend to (v): thamdự -Teacherlets students read some new words first in chorus and then read individually -Teacher asks students to -Students to work in work in pairs to read the pairs letter of invitation and -Some students read complete it with the words aloud the answers then or phrases given others give remarks -Teacher calls on some Expected answers: students to give the 1.at my house answers to come -Teacher goes over the 3.refreshments answers with the class 4.to cook winners by Mondays Explaining new words helps students understand the text easily -Help Ss pronounce the words correctly In this stage,T has to check s’ reading comprehension to preparethem for the following writingtask -Teacher asks students: Ss listen to the teacher How many part of a letter of and give their answers invitation? What are they? Expected answers: part : The author: Nguyễn Thị Tuyến Page 14 How to teach Writing in English 11 effetively at Nga Son High School [DOCUMEN Activity : Re-ordering -Have students work in groups of four -Teacher gives them the handouts and tells them to put the headings into the correct order of format of a letter of invitation a.A request for confirmation b.The announcement and a general invitation c A friendly reason for invitation d The precise arrangement suggested e Closing -Teacher gives students some useful expressions and vocabularies that can be used in the writing Reason for the party: (birthday party/New Year’s Eve party/ wedding party) 2.Where: Home / restaurant 3.When : What day? What time? 4.Number of guess:10/ 20/ 30 5.Which activities: Eating and drinking The author: Nguyễn Thị Tuyến _ Heading _ Salutation _ Body _ Closing _ Signature Students work in groups, discussing and writing the answers Expected answers: b The announcement and a general invitation c A friendly reason for invitation d The precise arrangement suggested a A request for confirmation e Closing -Students listen and take notes Encourage Ss to give the format of a letter of invitation Giving cues helps students the following writing task easily Page 15 How to teach Writing in English 11 effetively at Nga Son High School [DOCUMEN /singing/dancing/ playing games watching films 6.Foods and drinks served: (soft drinks ,mineral water, …/ chicken soup , green salad, steeak, fired chiken, fish, beef, hamburger ,biscuits…) 3.While- writing 14ms Write a letter of invitation -Listen to the teacher - Teacher has students read and bear in mind, copy the requirement for task down quickly -Teacher asks students to -Work independently work individually, writing their own letters Outline: + What party + Where and when + How many guests Suggested writing + What activities Ha Noi July 19th,2015 + What food and drink -Teacher reminds Ss of Dear Ha the tenses used in the As the school year is writing, walks about and coming to an and, I’m gives help when necessary going a farewell to meet up my classmates befores they go away for holiday Would you like to come? It will be at my house at p.m this coming Sunday I will intend to invite about 10 people.I will The author: Nguyễn Thị Tuyến Practise writing skills Page 16 How to teach Writing in English 11 effetively at Nga Son High School [DOCUMEN order some pizzas and buy snakes and fruit.However, you might bring some drinks to share.There will be dancing and karaoke competition, so there will be a lot of fun Please let me know if you are keen on by Saturday Just leave me a message on the phone if you are not at home See you, Thanh 4.Post –writing 8ms Peer Correction - Teacher asks students to exchange drafts and correct the mistakes -Teacher goes around the class to check what students are doing - Teacher asks some students to read their writings aloud and the class give comments -Teacher listens and corrects if necessary -Teacher gives feedback and comments 5.Consolidation 1m Ask sts to summary the main points -Ss revise draft sand edit their writings, refering to comments from peers - Ss listen to friends’writings give comments their and -Student-student interaction -Practise listening, speaking and writing skills -Encourage Ss to talk about what they have written Listen and repeat Teacher-Student interaction Ss listen to the teacher Teacher-Student 6.Homework 1m Teacher asks Ss to the The author: Nguyễn Thị Tuyến Page 17 How to teach Writing in English 11 effetively at Nga Son High School [DOCUMEN writing task in their notebooks -T asks Ssto prepare the next lesson:Language focus and write homework down interaction PART III: CONCLUSION *************** During the time of researching and applying the techniques above, I have realized that they are very useful for developing the students’ writing skill if we use them suitably and flexibly, such as at the right levels, at the right stages of teaching, kinds of suitable language.We should always identify our students’ problems and try to include in our lessons different types of activities so The author: Nguyễn Thị Tuyến Page 18 How to teach Writing in English 11 effetively at Nga Son High School [DOCUMEN that we can help them overcome their problems and give them more opportunities to practice.Little by little our students are becoming more confident and feel more interested in writing lessons Real numbers are shown by the two following tables: Acadamic year 2014 - 2015 Acadamic year 2015 - 2016 Although I have made a lot of effort to carry out the work, I myself feel that I cannot have more creation, give out more new and interesting techniques and can’t help having mistakes.I’d like you to give frank comments and help me to have more interesting things about this subject I would like to thank The confirmation oftheprinciple Thanh Hoa, May 20 th 2016 I promise not to have copied Signature Nguyễn Thị Tuyến PART IV REFERENCES *************** Byrne, D (1988) Teaching Writing Skills Longman Downs,M.(2000) Increasing student Motivation Teachers’ Edition 4: – 13 Raimes,A (1993) Teachniques in Teaching Writing OUP The author: Nguyễn Thị Tuyến Page 19 How to teach Writing in English 11 effetively at Nga Son High School [DOCUMEN “Tài liệu bồi dưỡng giáo viên thực CT sách GK lớp 12 THPT” Bộ GD & ĐT Giới thiệu giáo án Tiếng anh 12 (Vũ Thị Lợi chủ biên)-NXB Hà nội Thiết kế giảng tiếng Anh Trần Thị Ái Thanh- Hồ Thị Tân Hòa Trang NXB Hà Nội 7.Sources from the internet The author: Nguyễn Thị Tuyến Page 20 ... writing is teaching the students how to write, not to test their writing. When teaching writing skill to the 11th students of Nga Son High School I found the problems in teaching and learning writing. .. letter of invitation Giving cues helps students the following writing task easily Page 15 How to teach Writing in English 11 effetively at Nga Son High School [DOCUMEN /singing/dancing/ playing games... How to teach Writing in English 11 effetively at Nga Son High School [DOCUMEN teachers.Teachers should help students progress beyond very controlled writing to free writing by guiding their writing