Observation task: Instructions

Part 1: Choose between three and six activities from the lesson and make notes on the instructions
given by the teacher in the same way as the example below.

The learners had to do an exercise, underlining the correct verb form from two
Example Activity possibilities.

The teacher graded his language to the level of the learners, using simple
Spoken instructions: Look at page 30, exercise 2. There are two possible answers and you
Instruction have to underline the correct one. Work with your partner.

The teacher pointed to the exercise in the coursebook.

Visual support / The teacher made a gesture for the students to work in pairs.
Body language

The teacher went through the first two questions with the class, and elicited the
Demonstration answers from the students.

The teacher asked “Are you working alone or in pairs?”

Checking / Time The teacher set a time limit of 6 minutes.
limits

The teacher started monitoring straight away to check that the students were doing
Monitoring the correct exercise.

Most of the students understood what to do. However, one pair began doing the
Performance wrong exercise. The teacher noticed this when he was monitoring and showed the
students the correct exercise.

Activity 1

Spoken
Instruction

Visual support /
Body language

Demonstration

Checking / Time
limits

Monitoring

Performance
 Activity 2

Spoken
Instruction

Visual support /
Body language

Demonstration

Checking / Time
limits

Monitoring

Performance

Activity 3

Spoken
Instruction

Visual support /
Body language

Demonstration

Checking / Time
limits

Monitoring

Performance
 Activity 4

Spoken
Instruction

Visual support /
Body language

Demonstration

Checking / Time
limits

Monitoring

Performance

Activity 5

Spoken
Instruction

Visual support /
Body language

Demonstration

Checking / Time
limits

Monitoring

Performance

Activity 6
 Spoken
Instruction

Visual support /
Body language

Demonstration

Checking / Time
limits

Monitoring

Performance

Part 2: Write down three things you have learnt about how to give clear and effective instructions:

1)

2)

3)