LESSON PLAN PGCE ENGLISH

II. 1. 1. Motivating introduction in teaching festivalsThe introduction in all festival lesson plans in this thesis pays special attention to some kind of visual features typical for the mentioned festival and through which the pupils learn at least basic characteristics, e.g. thanks to the Father Christmas costume they see what he looks like, the use of scary Halloween introduction with a costume hints that this festival is mysterious and nightmarish, etc. And there appears the motivational stimulus in the pupils they realize that the lesson will be taught either by Father Christmas or, for example, by a party person and they start to look forward to what will follow.

The New Years Day lesson plan uses one of the typical introductions called vocabulary spidergram, which is writing pupils associations on a suggested topic on the board. This introduction is a good vocabulary exercise that practices only words connected to New Years Day and this drags the pupils into the lessons topic. Or as NICK PEACHEY3on his website says: They are very useful tools to help you think about and arrange words or ideas as well as to show the relationship between those ideas or words. The teacher is also asked to wear a cone hat and I will highlight this hat as the motivational point of the lesson the pupils can see that the teacher is a part of the lesson and it is attracting for them to see their teacher in a different way than only in the formal one. It is sure that the pupils will smile while seeing their teacher with a cone party hat and smile is a pleasant or favourable disposition or aspect which is needed in every lesson to create a warm and motivational atmosphere. On the other, hand the introduction of St. Valentines lesson plan is a bit thrilling, easeful and enthusiastic at the same time. The teacher is asked to come to the class and create the typical before-test situation when the pupils are told to put away all their textbooks and keep only a pen and a piece of paper. The pupils get nervous and angry because it seems that they are going to write a test and the teacher did not tell them beforehand. Then it comes to a huge relief when the pupils realize that they are not going to write a test but that there is going to be an activity lesson instead. The introduction does not involve the lessons topic as it is the aim of the first exercise. For most students authentic materials, because they are real, are intrinsically more interesting and motivating and they give students confidence when they understand them (GOWER, PHILLIPS, WALTERS, 2005, p.83) . Consequently the crucial point of the introduction of the Easter lesson plan is a little basket with ribbons and chocolate eggs that the teacher has to bring to the lesson and that represent the authentic material. It is the first thing the pupils see and they will be curious and above all interested what is inside and how all the things will affect the lesson. The teacher uncovers the secret by asking what festival is approaching and then the use of tongue twister cheers the class up. The tongue twisters have been around for many years and still cause a lasting laughing effect on everybody. Children really enjoy the silly way a twister sounds when saying them fast. The last three suggested lesson plans, that are Summer Bank Holiday, Halloween and Christmas, have a similar introduction based on a costume and teachers dramatic skills. When summer is a few weeks away, the minds of students and teachers alike can sometimes venture off on a premature vacation. And this is exactly the theme of the Summer Bank Holiday lesson plan. The introduction here is very short but engaging. The teacher is asked to wear a colourful flowery shirt and sunglasses this introduction is likable itself because the pupils look forward to their holiday and they can see that the lesson will be somehow special and will bring them closer to the desired summer holiday. Nevertheless, Halloween lesson plan uses a bit scary but attractive introduction based on a dramatic monologue including basic thematic information before starting the first exercise and University of Malaya highlights this dramatic start: Drama increases motivation and provides the incentive to work hard. In the end, Christmas is focused on the teachers ability to make fun of himself and to be creative because: In order to create optimal conditions for learning, we need to include activities which develop creativity fantasy and imagination that are so much part of the world of primary-aged children and which can lead to positive new learning. The aim Peachey, Nick. Remember more vocabulary. Nicks Daily English Activities. 9 December 2008. 12 April 2009. < http://daily-english-activities.blogspot.com/2008/12/remember-more-vocabulary.html>

Smile. The Free Dictionary. 2009. 12 April 2009

Gower, Roger, Diane Phillips, and Steve Walters. Teaching Practice A handbook for teachers in training. Oxford: Macmillan Education, 2005. 83.

Funny Tongue Twisters. Fun Staff on the Web. 9 April 2009

Lewis, Beth. ABC Countdown to Summer. About.com: Elementary Education. 10 April 2009

Sam, Wan Yee. Drama in Teaching English as a Second Language A Communicative Approach. MELTA. University of Malaya. July 1999. 10 April 2009.

< http://www.melta.org.my/ET/1990/main8.html>

Read, Carol. 500 Activities for the Primary Classroom. Oxford: Macmillan Education, 2007.

- 2 -