Question: How can I give my learners more opportunities to practise speaking and listening in class?
Answer: Create information gaps.
Creating information gaps between learners provides real reasons to talk. It therefore increases opportunities for speaking and listening.
Examples of information gaps
- Learners work in pairs to find information. They have the same text but different information is missing, e.g. text A has the prices of half the items in a shop; text B has the prices of the other items. Learners ask each other questions to find the prices of all the items.
- Learners write questions to find out about likes, favourites or experiences. They work in pairs or groups, or mingle.
- Learners find out what their classmates think, e.g. about a recent topic or a story they’ve just read in class. They work in pairs or small groups.
- Learners find out what their classmates know, e.g. about a topic or the world. They brainstorm or discuss in small groups.
- With practice, you will find new and different ways to create gaps between learners.
How will you create gaps to increase speaking in your classes?