English through guided conversations

Kith Udugama

This programme can be implemented in schools, at work : government or private offices and universities

Every language has a certain beauty, however the English language is one of the most beautiful and polished languages. By means of the 26 letters of the alphabet it produces millions of words. English has become the most used language in the world, the main reason being the role it plays within the world of Science & Technology, Commerce and International Trade.

Apart from this, there are many other reasons as to why we all should learn English and benefit by it. The Course should start by having a brainstorming session and listing over 20 or more reasons why we should learn English.

This will create an interest and a desire to learn the language. The student will realise this can be a rewarding project. It will increase the opportunities to upgrade work skills and enhance career development. It will also give a tremendous boost to one's self confidence, and it will also elevate the social status.

This will also open the window to the great outside world. A written test should be conducted to assess the standard of English of students, and group them according to their ability. In this arrangement it is possible to devote greater attention to students who need it, while giving more capable students the chance to learn from and assist one another. A key function of the test is to pair up students from "Side by Side" conversation practice and help them with new vocabulary, pronunciation and structure.

The "Guided Conversation" process has four stages.

1. The presentation stage

The model conversation is introduced and practiced by the class.

2. The rehearsal stage

Immediately after practicing the model, students do the conversational exercises that follow. For homework, they practice these conversations, and perhaps write out a few. Some lessons also ask students to create their own original conversations based on the model.

3. The performance stage

The next day students do the conversational exercises in class, preferably with their textbooks and note books closed. Students should not have to memorise these conversations. They will most likely remember them after sufficient practice in class and at home.

4. The incorporation stage

The class reviews the conversation or pieces of the conversation in the days that follow. With repetition and time, the guided conversation " dissolves" and its components are incorporated into the student's active language.

On your own

An important component of each lesson is the on your Own activity. These student-centered exercises reinforce the grammatical structures of the lesson while breaking away from the text and allowing students to contribute content of their own.

These activities take various forms: role-plays, extended guided conversations, questions about the student's real world, and topics for classroom discussion and debate. In these exercises the students are asked to bring new content to the classroom, based on their interests, their backgrounds, and the farthest reaches of their imaginations.

However it is important to measure the standard of the student and structure the lessons and the programme to suit them.

This can be done initially conducting a test and also assess the capabilities of students in the first two or three lessons.

In addition to English, lessons in motivation, right attitude, goal setting, goal achieving, time management, responsibility for self, family & employer will be blended in to the lessons throughout the programme. The contents of the programme must be prepared to suit the participants thus enabling them to receive the optimum benefit.

Maximum number in a class should be 20 and the duration of the lesson can be 1 1/2 to 2 hours. If required, full day sessions can be conducted on sundays.

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