Leading into a task at the start of class is not easy. It really does require a bit of thought. You have to make it seem natural by starting off with a bit of chat, and yet you don´t want to let that chat go on for forty-five minutes (don´t get me wrong, chatting is great but...). Not only that, but you want instructions to be clear as well as any demonstrations you give. So here´s my advice:
- Start out friendly and relaxed. Don´t be afraid to chat for a minute or two with students in open class.
- When you´re ready to begin, continue with the same tone and energy as you did during the chat but just "Okay. So today we´re going to talk about taking a road trip." The question will focus the topic and allow you to guage the students´ knowledge of the topic. If you don´t get any response, don´t worry. Continue on by explaining what´s going to happen. "Well, today you´re going to plan a road trip."
- Give clear instructions and stress outcomes and timing for each activity.
- Give clear examples of what they might say during the task
- Demonstrate with one of the stronger students in the class, if necessary
- Divide the class into pairs or groups--pairs are more efficient and easier to control but groups are more challenging and mimic situations they might encounter in their jobs (or future jobs) as in, say a meeting, but also they can reduce talk time for each student. Alternate putting them in groups and pairs from class to class or do what works best or even what the students themselves prefer. Encourage students to move around the classroom so they are working with different partners from class to class (but don´t insist if it might create problems).
- During the task, offer help but otherwise just circulate and take notes on what students are saying--this could be what they do right as well as what needs improvement.
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