Pre learning questions

In your journal, reflect on your experience as a learner by considering these questions before reading the ‘Teaching Vocabulary and Grammar’ section.

• What do students need to know about a new item of ‘language’ (i.e. vocabulary or grammar)?
• How did you learn vocabulary and grammar when you were at primary school? Did your teachers use translation? Is this necessary with lower level learners? Why?
• Did the teachers’ approach change when you started high school? Why do you think this was? Which approach did you find the most useful / enjoyable? Why?
• What opportunities did you have to practice using vocabulary and grammar in the classroom? Were they useful? Why?