Page 165 - Teaching English at Primary Level: From Theory into the Classroom

Lesson Plan Template

Table 10.3 Lesson Plan Checklist
Before taking a lesson plan into the classroom, it is useful to go through a checklist of questions:
1. Are my objectives clearly defined and focused on the learning outcomes?
2. How am I going to motivate the learners into the lesson (warm-up activity)?
3. Which language functions, structures, vocabulary and skills have the pupils already
acquired? What new language will the lesson focus on?
4. How will I present the new language? (Using stories, songs, content from other subjects, etc.)
5. Have I included different tasks and activities? Do the activities progress from more
controlled and guided to free activities?
6. Have I included differentiated tasks for different levels and for early finishers?
7. How will I scaffold my talk?
8. Have I included modified teacher talk which my learners will be able to follow?
9. Is the timing planned for the activities realistic? How long will it take me to give the
instructions?
10. What resources will I need?

(Baecher et al., 2014). Lastly, as many successful teachers have come to realise,
the key to an effective lesson is to follow the 5P maxim (Perfect preparation
prevents poor performance.).

Reflection Point
1. What is your attitude towards lesson planning?
2. What are some of the most important differences between a lesson plan
in foreign language teaching and the lesson plans for other subjects?
3. Watch a video in which the presenter describes the main elements of a les-
sonplan and compare themwiththe lesson plantemplateinthischapter.

Key Takeaways
• Efficient lesson planning is key for effectively using your class time.
• Lesson objectives should be clear and focused on the learning outcomes
(Pupils will be able to ...).
• Planning and scaffolding teacher talk isan important aspect of lesson plan-
ning in a YLs’ classroom.

Further Reading
Jensen, L. (2001). Planning lessons: Teaching English as a second or foreign lan-
guage. Heinle & Heinle, 403–413.
Moon, J. (2005). Children learning English: A guidebook for English language
teachers (2nd ed.). Macmillan Education.
Pang, M. (2016). Pedagogical reasoning in EFL/ESL teaching: Revisiting the im-
portance of teaching lesson planning in second language teacher educa-
tion. TESOL Quarterly, 50(1), 246–263.

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