Speaking refers to the capability communication of an idea through oral methods. After listening, speaking is the most important competency in learning any language. Some of he basic principles involved in designing activities for developing competencies for speaking are as follows:
Give learners more and more opportunities of speaking.
It would require speaking with the learner in different situations. Activity in this regard should be designed keeping in view the daily and seasonal engagements of the child. For example, the learners interacts with household members during performance of daily rituals, with friends and teachers at school, with friends at playground, with a shopkeeper at a shop, with a doctor and nurse at Hospital, etc. So activities may be designed for each of these occasions.
Generally the grammatical mistakes should not be pointed out in the initial stages of speaking. Excessive concern about correctness leads to inhibition in speaking.
Speaking should be a pleasant activity. So, it should be learnt just like playing a game. In a game situation learners are enthused to speak more and more and that too in an atmosphere of joy. See details of a few games in Modern Creative Games .
Prompts should be used to facilitate speaking. For example,
Pictures
Posters
Geo-Cards (such as Web Chart, Concept Maps, etc.)
Conversation cards
Kinesthetic symbols
Question Answer cards, etc.
Initially prompts may appear to be essential as it helps learner to focus attention on the art of speaking. Later learners may be asked to speak even without prompts.
While deciding the prompts it would be better to take prompts pertaining to the learning style of the child. If the child is of Spatial learning style, he may be asked to describe a picture or compose a story on the basis of a series of pictures drawn by him. A rhythmic child may be asked to participate in a Poetry- drama.
Encourage informal talks among children. Guide them to have serious talks.
For details see Shaping Mind Creatively or Consult a Creative Learning Volunteer.
©2001-2009 APCL
Last changed:
Mon Oct 5 05:04:52 2009