Pre-Task (Video 1)
In this video you will learn how to prepare a pre-task of a TBLT lesson. The example will be a lesson on movies. You will learn how to begin an in person and blended class. The video discusses ways to gain the interest of your students through images, music, videos, and social media/internet. Also, you will learn how to engage your students online through the application Jamboard.
To download the script (pdf), please click here
The Key Elements of the video:
The Pre-Task is the first phase of the TBLT lesson. The Pre-Task serves to do two important things:
- motivate students;
- introduce the topic of the lesson to the students.
The topic of our lesson will be films.
Let's imagine that our students have the same language level and the same curiosity. How do we do the pre-task?
We can start like this: we show the students some images of films. We also ask the students some questions. For example:
"Do you like going to the cinema?"
"Do you watch a lot of films?"
"Do you know some of the films you see in the pictures?"
With pictures and questions, students talk more easily.
You can also show a short video. It is important that the video is not too long (maximum 5 minutes). After the video we can help the students to speak with questions.
You can also ask students to listen to a song together, for example a song from a very famous movie.With the song, students can practise their listening. And then, with questions, you can ask students what they think about when they hear the song.
You can also use the internet and social networks, such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Help your students become curious! So use things they love. This is a good start!
Let's imagine now that our students have different language levels and different curiosities. How will you do the pre-task?
You can divide the students into different groups according to their favourite film genre. You can use these groups afterwards, for example for group work in the Post-Task.
If you teach online, an interesting tool you can use is JamBoard. To use JamBoard, you as a teacher must have an @gmail account, but your students do not need one.
If you do not teach online, you can use sheets of paper.
Ask your students to write down what kind of films they like and dislike.
For example, students can write "I like fantasy" or "I don't like horror".
Put together all the students who like the same kind of film and you have your groups!
Now on to the Task Cycle!
Do you want to download these key elements in pdf, click here
