The following tables summarize key stages in conducting a reading and writing lesson.

Remember that you do not have to follow all steps in a single lesson.

Stages of a reading lesson1

FOCUS ON THE TOPIC

Activity or discussion to focus on the topic of the lesson.

PRE-TEACH SELECTED VOCABULARY
Present words (as few as possible, and max c. 8) which students need to complete the tasks
and/or understand the main ideas of the text.

SET GIST TASK
Set a task that concerns the main idea of the entire text, or ask students to read to see if
their earlier predictions regarding content were correct.
Set a time limit.

TEXT
Students read while the teacher monitors (to check the task is being carried out correctly,
and to judge student performance of the task).

FEEDBACK
Students check answers in pairs or groups, and then as a class.

SET TASKS FOR DETAILED READING
Give students a task focussing on detailed information before they read again. Ideally this
involves processing the text, for example combining information from two parts of the text to
arrive at a conclusion, or inferencing.

TEXT
Students read while the teacher monitors (as above).

FEEDBACK
Students check answers in pairs or groups, and then as a class.
Teacher & students clarify any problems in the text

1
Source: www.teachingenglish.org.uk
 
EXTENSION TASK
Usually involving the productive skills (speaking or writing) in a reaction to the text, or
building on information within the text.

Stages of a writing lesson2

Generating ideas

Using learners' own ideas can make the writing more memorable and meaningful.



Focusing ideas

It involves thinking about which of the many ideas generated are the most
important or relevant, and perhaps taking a particular point of view.



Focus on a model text

Through the model, students are given the tools to express ideas in the most
appropriate way. It also helps raise learners' awareness of the conventions of typical
texts of different genres in English.



Organizing ideas

Students organize their own ideas in a similar way.



Writing

Students may write one or more drafts (depending on the time allowed).



Peer evaluation

Peer evaluation of writing helps learners to become aware of an audience other then
the teacher.



Reviewing

2
Source: www.teachingenglish.org.uk
 When writing a final draft, students should be encouraged to check the details of
grammar and spelling, which may have taken a back seat to ideas and organization
in the previous stages.