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lesson goals:
1. Identify a topic for the lesson. The topic is not a goal, but it will help you develop your
goals. The topic may be determined largely by your curriculum and textbook, and may be
part of a larger thematic unit such as Travel or Leisure Activities. If you have some
flexibility in choice of topic, consider your students’ interests and the availability of
authentic materials at the appropriate level.
2. Identify specific linguistic content, such as vocabulary and points of grammar or
language use, to be introduced or reviewed. These are usually prescribed by the course
textbook or course curriculum. If they are not, select points that are connected in some
significant way with the topic of the lesson.
3. Identify specific communication tasks to be completed by students. To be authentic,
the tasks should allow, but not require, students to use the vocabulary, grammar, and
strategies presented in the lesson. The focus of the tasks should be topical, not
grammatical. This means that it may be possible for some students to complete the task
without using either the grammar point or the strategy presented in the first part of the
lesson.
4. Identify specific learning strategies to be introduced or reviewed in connection with the
lesson. See Motivating Learners for more on learning strategies.
5. Create goal statements for the linguistic content, communication tasks, and learning
strategies that state what you will do and what students will do during the lesson.
Learning to communicate in another language takes a long time. It is one of the most
challenging tasks your students are likely to undertake, and they can easily become
discouraged and bored with it. This section presents techniques that language teachers
can use to keep their students interested and motivated by helping them understand the
language acquisition process, connect language learning with their large