Discussions that Work : Task-Centred Fluency Practice /
Penny Ur.
- Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 1981.
- vi, 122 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.
- Cambridge Handbooks for Language Teachers .
Includes bibliographical references (p. 119-121.) and index.
"How can you make a discussion really work? What sort of activities produce genuine and enthusiastic exchanges of ideas? How can you prepare such exercises quickly and easily? These are some of the questions that Discussions that Work sets out to answer. The first part provides some general guidelines on the organisation of successful task-centered activities. The second part consists of some fifty practical examples which have been tried and found effective in the classroom. They range from fairly simple to complex and sophisticated, and can thus be used with a wide range of learners, from elementary to the most advanced, in both secondary and adult education." (Book Cover) CONTENTS: Preface Part 1: General principles [1.] What is a discussion? Communication practice The discussion The aims A discussion that works [2.] Some factors in a good discussion: topic, group-work, role-play The topic Group-work Role-play [3.] Giving the discussion a purpose: the task Thought Result Language-practice efficiency Simplicity Preparation Interaction Interest [4.] Organization Presentation Process Ending Feedback Conclusion Part 2: Practical examples Introduction Brainstorming activities 1. Guessing games 2. Finding connections 3. Ideas from a central theme 4. Implications and interpretations Organizing activities 5. Comparing 6. Detecting differences 7. Putting in order 8. Priorities 9. Choosing candidates (a) 10. Choosing candidates (b) 11. Layout problems 12. Combining versions Compound activities 13. Composing letters 14. Debates 15. Publicity campaigns 16. Surveys 17. Planning projects Bibliography Index
0521281695 (pbk)
English language--Study and teaching--Foreign speakers. English language--Spoken English.