My portfolio teaching practice 2 training | Page 10

They help make the associated language memorable. One permanent
display (posters, charts, etc.) they can help make a classroom a
stimulating and attractive place in which to work.
Worksheets and work cards
There are many excellent published materials available for the EFL
classroom there are times when you will want to make your own
worksheets to give to students to use in class or out of class for
homework. These can take a number of forms: sheets of paper
photocopied from a master you have produced, cue cards or role cards to
use in pair work and groupwork, or even home-made games. Also, you
should to make your own worksheets.
The cassette recorder
The cassette recorder is one of the language teacher’s most useful tools.
Nearly all course books and many other published EFL materials are
accompanied by cassettes. In addition, many teachers have access to
authentic audio material that can be brought into the classroom most
notably recordings made from the radio, and songs. Most teachers have
access to a cassette recorder for use in the classroom and if you can
borrow additional machines you can set up communicative groupwork
activities.
Video
Although video cassettes are not quite as common as audio cassettes in
the classroom they are generally very popular with students and can add
variety and a welcome change of focus in a lesson. Video cassettes have
several advantages over audio cassettes: Because the students can see
as well as hear what is being said the recording is much closer to real life.
Video is much easier to understand; the facial expressions, the gestures
and the physical background all give additional information. The visual
element is attractive and commands the attention better than audio
alone. Videos are often intrinsically more interesting, as many people are
more familiar with watching television and video than listening to audio
material other than music and songs.
The photocopier
Use of the photocopier may be an area of tension in some institutions and
teachers may be limited to a certain number of copies. Make sure you
know the house rules about use. If there is no photocopier you may have
to use your ingenuity to compensate. Creative use of the board, flipcharts,
large pieces of card or paper and, a dictation.
8