The Art of Explanation
sample lesson plan
level: upper-intermediate
type: article-based
Summary
We all have opinions and things we strongly believe in. But not everyone is good at communicating their beliefs. Many of us don't feel we need to explain ourselves all the time because it's just an "opinion" and we think it's not important. However, the ability to give convincing arguments is a powerful skill that can benefit everyone, whether you're about to attend a life-changing job interview or whether you and you're partner are deciding where to go on holiday.
The class will now have a new range of activities and topics to help sharpen your skills when it comes to expressing ideas so if you have attended The Art of Explanation before and enjoyed the classes, please feel free to sign up again for a wave of fresh content.
Class format
In each class, we will compare various content such as movie clips, songs, artwork, clothing, dance performances, etc - and then, we will challenge each other's opinions with reasons and logic.
This is how each lesson will flow:
Hello! Since you'll be in this class for the next 4 weeks, it's important to feel comfortable with everyone as you will be interacting with your classmates just as much as you will with me. I will ask a unique question each lesson to get everyone smiling, warmed up and ready to chat. This is known as an icebreaker.
Introduce Topic After introducing the main the main topic for that lesson and explaining what the goal of the lesson is, I will present the class material. Splitting into small groups, you will discuss the content among each other for 5-10 minutes, while I listen, take notes and answer any questions regarding the material or vocabulary that may not be understood.
Round Table (Part 1) When the discussion has finished, we will return to the centre and share with everyone what was discussed. This is known as a "Round Table." You will not only get to do lots of talking but will get to hear the opinions of your classmates which is an important part of these lessons. Listening and sharing.
Main Activity Here, I will provide the core material for the lesson. This is usually a print out that I have prepared beforehand. Sometimes it's a role-play, sometimes it's a very tricky question. Other times it may be a riddle and other times it could be a test to see how well you can support an idea. Whatever the activity is, the goal is always to provide you with material that tests your brain and forces you to give an explanation for something.
Round Table (Part 2) We return to the centre once again to discuss and share our findings from the Main Activity. Again, this is an important (and fun!) part of the lesson where you're able to practice not only your speaking and listening but your ability to explain things confidently and in a way that makes sense logically.
Vocabulary Q&A In the last 10 minutes of the lesson, I will spend some time answering any questions about the topic or explaining the meanings of any vocabulary that you as a student heard or read during the lesson.
Student expectation
In each lesson, you will learn a variety of vocabulary, gain lots of confidence and most importantly, you will learn how to provide a solid and sound reasoning for a thought or feeling that you have. Not everyone is good at this but it's a great skill to practice as it can be useful in any social and formal environment.
Last updated