Grading_Language

A-Language Grading Teaching English language requires you to be well-organized, demanding at times, but most of all it requires you to respect your students, both as a group of people who have a similar goal to achieve and as an individuals who have got different needs and abilities. It is very important for an esol tutor to grade their language when tutoring, mainly because students represent different levels of English. Grading your language is to make it simpler and clear, it is the way of balancing it to help your students to develop their skills. It is particularly important with low level students, as there is a great lack of communication. Teachers grade their language in many different ways. Usually it is all about using simple vocabulary, but not simplistic or ungrammatical English e.g. instead of asking “would you mind telling me where about do you live'” you can use shorter “what is your address'” question. It means the same and makes it sound clear at the same time. Tutor should also be natural and use the body language, so if the students are not able to understand particular words or phrases, then at least the whole concept can be understood. It is also important to plan your classes and stick rather to one way, because using too many alternatives may be confusing. Teachers also grade their language by giving instruction and making sure everything they say is understood. Good example for this would be avoiding the use of idiomatic expressions in classroom, as your higher level students may be able to process “do you follow” or “do you see” the lower level ones may have a problem with it, so in place of the examples above “do you understand” will be much more suitable. Additionally it is very helpful to use pictures and setting up activities, so students can practice and consolidate gained knowledge. B-Language Selection a) I would select the following: -Can I have' - Give me…please' - Could I have' I would select the above examples, because low level students have a small vocabulary and they find it difficult to place the meaning and context of the sophisticated words and complex phrases. Short and simple sentences should be used to make the language clear for the students .In view of their difficulties in speaking English they lack in confidence and they get confused very easily, therefore teacher should be supportive and helpful. b) Lesson on health Learners at a beginner level: Vocabulary: -Health -painkiller -pain -medicine -exercise -physical exercises -doctor -diet -stress -hygiene -healthy food -headache -temperature -weight -hospital Phrases: -My leg hurts -I have a cold/I have flu -I do not feel well -I need to go to the hospital -I have a pain in my back -I take my medicine -I have a temperature -I have to visit my doctor -I broke my arm -I should exercise a lot -I lost/I gained weight -I do not sleep well Learners at an intermediate level: Vocabulary: -physical health -mental health -weight -weight loss -organism -metabolic efficiency -injury -wound -nutrition -disability -gash -medical treatment Phrases: -I feel out of sorts -I was injured in a car accident -I feel dizzy -I have a fever -It is a sharp pain -I have a sore throat -I have a runny/stuffy nose -I have an upset stomach -I dislocated my arm -I am suffering from…. -I have a rush/bruise I have chosen different words and phrases for each group of students. I have done it, because level of their English language varies from one another. Low level students are introduced to simple words and phrases that are being used in everyday life .Vocabulary is practical and yet clear and not simplistic. Intermediate level students are introduced to more sophisticated words and idiomatic phrases as because it is much easier for them to process it. They are familiar with beginner’s vocabulary already and that is the reason why teacher expects more out of them.