Learn English with BBC World Service
BBC World Service broadcasts radio programmes for learners and teachers of English. Many programmes include
explanations in the learner’s own language. The programmes are graded to suit all levels of learner and cover a variety of
topics, such as English for business, current affairs, science, literature, music and English teaching.
Many of the radio programmes are accompanied by printed material, including free information sheets and booklets. These
support materials are based on the content of the radio programmes and also contain additional background information
on the subjects covered. Action Plan for Teachers is one of three new booklets from BBC World Service. The other two are
The Mediator, which uses authentic material to present and explain the language used in the news and broadcast media
and which is of particular interest to anyone pursuing a career in the media, and The Business, which is a self-help guide
to essential business concepts - from entrepreneurship to globalisation - that includes practical help on how to get ahead.
The BBC World Service’s Learning English website is a comprehensive online resource for both learners and teachers of
English. Material from the radio programmes plus information on many topics associated with English language learning can
be found on these pages. The site also includes interactive exercises combining audio, video and text and can be found at:
www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish
For an automatic email response giving information about English learning and teaching programmes, send an email to:
eltradio@bbc.co.uk
To find out more about learning English with BBC World Service, write to:
BBC World Learning
BBC World Service
Bush House
Strand
London WC2B 4PH
UK
© British Broadcasting Corporation 2000
Action Plan for Teachers
Written by: Callum Robertson and including some material adapted from the English One to One teacher’s book written
by Richard Acklam.
Edited by: Tim Moock
Illustrated by: Tania Lewis at Doodlebugs, except for page 30 illustrated by Tim Moock.
Cover images: top and bottom © British Broadcasting Corporation, middle © The British Council
About the authors
Callum Robertson
has worked in English Language teaching since 1986. He has taught in Japan, China and Denmark as well as in the UK. He
is a teacher trainer and writer, producer and presenter for BBC World Service. He has a degree in Drama from the Univeristy
of Hull and the RSA Dip. TEFLA.
Richard Acklam
is a freelance ELT teacher, teacher trainer and textbook writer. He has worked in Cairo, Paris and London and has an MA
(TEFL) from the Uni versity of Reading.
BBC World Service broadcasts radio programmes for learners and teachers of English. Many programmes include
explanations in the learner’s own language. The programmes are graded to suit all levels of learner and cover a variety of
topics, such as English for business, current affairs, science, literature, music and English teaching.
Many of the radio programmes are accompanied by printed material, including free information sheets and booklets. These
support materials are based on the content of the radio programmes and also contain additional background information
on the subjects covered. Action Plan for Teachers is one of three new booklets from BBC World Service. The other two are
The Mediator, which uses authentic material to present and explain the language used in the news and broadcast media
and which is of particular interest to anyone pursuing a career in the media, and The Business, which is a self-help guide
to essential business concepts - from entrepreneurship to globalisation - that includes practical help on how to get ahead.
The BBC World Service’s Learning English website is a comprehensive online resource for both learners and teachers of
English. Material from the radio programmes plus information on many topics associated with English language learning can
be found on these pages. The site also includes interactive exercises combining audio, video and text and can be found at:
www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish
For an automatic email response giving information about English learning and teaching programmes, send an email to:
eltradio@bbc.co.uk
To find out more about learning English with BBC World Service, write to:
BBC World Learning
BBC World Service
Bush House
Strand
London WC2B 4PH
UK
© British Broadcasting Corporation 2000
Action Plan for Teachers
Written by: Callum Robertson and including some material adapted from the English One to One teacher’s book written
by Richard Acklam.
Edited by: Tim Moock
Illustrated by: Tania Lewis at Doodlebugs, except for page 30 illustrated by Tim Moock.
Cover images: top and bottom © British Broadcasting Corporation, middle © The British Council
About the authors
Callum Robertson
has worked in English Language teaching since 1986. He has taught in Japan, China and Denmark as well as in the UK. He
is a teacher trainer and writer, producer and presenter for BBC World Service. He has a degree in Drama from the Univeristy
of Hull and the RSA Dip. TEFLA.
Richard Acklam
is a freelance ELT teacher, teacher trainer and textbook writer. He has worked in Cairo, Paris and London and has an MA
(TEFL) from the Uni versity of Reading.
Contents
Introduction 1
Planning
Pre-planning 2
• What should go into an English language lesson? 2
• What is a lesson plan? 3
• Why is planning important? 4
• Do you need to plan if you have a course book? 5
• What are the principles of planning? 5
Planning a lesson 7
• Aims and concepts 7
• Contexts and marker sentences 7
• Starting a lesson 8
• Presenting new language 9
• Controlled practice 10
• Freer (less controlled) practice 11
• Finishing the lesson 13
Action
Methodology 14
• Use of the mother tongue 14
• Eliciting 14
• Board work 15
• Drilling 15
• Pronunciation 17
• Organising student practice 18
• Exploiting listening and reading texts 19
Technology 21
• Overhead projectors 21
• Tape recorders 22
• Radio 24
• Television and video 26
• Computers and the internet. 28
Activities 30
• Warmers 30
• Presentation techniques 32
• The Phonemic Char t 37
Glossary 38
Planning
Pre-planning 2
• What should go into an English language lesson? 2
• What is a lesson plan? 3
• Why is planning important? 4
• Do you need to plan if you have a course book? 5
• What are the principles of planning? 5
Planning a lesson 7
• Aims and concepts 7
• Contexts and marker sentences 7
• Starting a lesson 8
• Presenting new language 9
• Controlled practice 10
• Freer (less controlled) practice 11
• Finishing the lesson 13
Action
Methodology 14
• Use of the mother tongue 14
• Eliciting 14
• Board work 15
• Drilling 15
• Pronunciation 17
• Organising student practice 18
• Exploiting listening and reading texts 19
Technology 21
• Overhead projectors 21
• Tape recorders 22
• Radio 24
• Television and video 26
• Computers and the internet. 28
Activities 30
• Warmers 30
• Presentation techniques 32
• The Phonemic Char t 37
Glossary 38