Teaching English Effectively

Utilizing Textbooks to the Fullest

Kevin Febryan
Chief Product Officer
Graduated from the University of Southern California

● Bachelor of Science in Business

Administration

Experience:

● Director of Studies at English First

● Have been teaching English since 2018
● In charge of developing teachers and
academic excellence
● Teaching students from the age of 3 years old
to adults
Today’s Agenda

● Integrating CEFR and Kurikulum Merdeka

● What is in the Lesson Plan (CP, TP, ATP, Modul Ajar)
● Teaching Receptive Skills
● Teaching Productive Skills
● Assessing Students’ Formatively and Summatively
● Integrating Artificial Intelligence
CEFR = Common European Framework of Reference
 CEFR

Kurikulum Merdeka

Source: Kompasiana

Source: Cambridge English

SMA
SMA
SMA
SMA
Lesson Plan Overview
 Stages from
Warmer to
Consolidation
 Abstract: Learning a Foreign Language

Learning a Foreign Language =

 Different Ways to Teach Grammar

In general, the most common and effective way to teach grammar (or
language in general) is through:

PPP (Present, Practice, Produce)

Present = Learners are presented with the form/function.

Practice = Learners are encouraged to practice in a guided/controlled

way.

Produce = Learners are allowed to use what they learned freely.

So, should we focus on the form first or function first?

Functional/Function-Based Approach

- Puts functions first.

- The structures will be given as a part of the tools to convey the
message of the functions.
- The functions are selected depending on students’ skills.

A focus on the function can lead to an emphasis on communication and

learning language in chunks. Instead of remembering each part of speech
to use, learners are asked to remember phrases or collocations.

Example:
Function = Students are to learn how to express regrets from the past.
Structure = Third Conditional (Chunks: “If I had…., I would have…)
Form = If + S + had + V3 , S + would + have + V3
 Strategized Learning
How many times have you said….?
● Learning a language can be divided into:
○ Listening (Receptive)
○ Reading (Receptive)
○ Speaking (Productive)
○ Writing (Productive)

● Receptive skills are needed to be

productive. Attaining vocabulary and
grammar is needed to be productive.

● Make sure your skills are balanced.

 What Is Writing?

How many different types of

writing are there in English?
 What Is Writing?

How many different types of writing are

there in English?
Narrative, descriptive, expository, persuasive, argumentative,
creative, academic, journalistic, business, etc.

Expository: Persuasive:
is used when you want to explain or is used to demonstrate a
inform, making it a very popular very specific opinion on a
writing style for essays topic

Descriptive: Narrative:
is to describe a subject to fiction, creative nonfiction,
form a clear idea in the and poetry are all types of
reader’s mind narrative writing
Teaching Writing Sub Skills

- Communication-based: using appropriate style and

register, organizing ideas in a helpful way, using the
features typical to the text type we are writing, joining our
words and sentences clearly and using appropriate
functions to express our meaning.
- Accuracy-based: spelling correctly, forming letters
correctly, joining letters together correctly, writing legibly,
punctuating correctly, using correct layouts, choosing the
right vocabulary, using grammar correctly, joining
sentences correctly, and correctly using paragraphs.
Source: TKT Module 1
Teaching Writing Strategies

Before Writing:
- Encourage learners to think why they are writing (WhatsApp,
Instagram, Captions, etc.)
- Who are they writing to? (Audience to set up their register).

Two Types of Writing Exercises:

- Communication-based (Story-completion, jumbled picture stories,
writing birthday cards, writing emails of invitation)
- Accuracy-based (sentence completion, sentence transformation,
punctuation, dividing texts into paragraphs)

Source: TKT Module 1

Academic Writing: Independent Writing

Free-writing: students are asked questions where

they have to state their opinions and give reasons for their
arguments.

Example.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
Students do not respect their teachers as much as they
did in the past. Use specific reasons and examples to
support your answer.
 Academic Writing: Independent Writing

In evaluating whether students today hold less respect for their Additionally, societal changes have reshaped the expectations
teachers compared to previous generations, it's crucial to placed on educators. Teachers today not only impart knowledge
consider the multifaceted dynamics shaping contemporary but also serve as facilitators of critical thinking, emotional support
educational environments. While some may argue that respect for systems, and advocates for diverse learning styles. Consequently,
Introduction teachers has dwindled over time, I contend that this perception the nature of the student-teacher relationship has evolved into a
Body 3
oversimplifies a complex issue. Respect manifests differently in more dynamic and multifaceted exchange, where mutual respect
various contexts, influenced by societal shifts, educational is cultivated through empathy, understanding, and shared goals.
philosophies, and evolving communication channels.
However, it would be remiss to overlook instances where genuine
Firstly, it's essential to acknowledge that respect isn't a monolithic disrespect exists within educational settings. Factors such as
concept. Traditional displays of respect, such as addressing societal attitudes towards authority, cultural norms, and systemic
teachers formally or refraining from questioning authority, might issues in education can contribute to instances of disrespect
not be as prevalent today. However, this doesn't necessarily towards teachers. Addressing these issues requires a Body 4
Body 1 equate to a lack of respect. Instead, contemporary manifestations collaborative effort involving students, teachers, administrators,
of respect may include engaging in meaningful dialogue, and policymakers to foster a culture of mutual respect and
challenging ideas constructively, and viewing teachers as mentors appreciation for the teaching profession.
rather than unassailable figures.
In conclusion, asserting that students today hold less respect for
Moreover, the dynamics between students and teachers have their teachers overlooks the nuanced dynamics shaping modern
evolved alongside advancements in technology and education. While traditional displays of respect may have evolved,
communication. Unlike the past, where the teacher held exclusive contemporary classrooms emphasize collaborative learning,
authority over knowledge dissemination, modern classrooms critical thinking, and mutual respect. By acknowledging these
Body 2 emphasize collaboration and shared learning experiences. In this shifts and addressing underlying issues, we can foster a learning Conclusion
context, students may express respect by actively participating in environment where respect for teachers and peers flourishes.
discussions, leveraging digital resources, and collaborating with
peers and teachers alike.
Academic Writing: Integrated Writing
Academic Writing:
Integrated Writing

Source: ets.org
Writing Outline
Introduction
Sentence One: Write the Hook
Introduces the general theme or topic of the essay

Sentence Two: Narrower Topic (Optional)

Write something that is more specific than the first sentence

Sentence Three: Restate the question

Paraphrase/rewrite the question in your own words

Sentence Four: Thesis Statement

Main message of your writing
Body
Each body should have the following:

1 Topic Sentence

2 Supporting Point/Evidence 1

3 Supporting Point/Evidence 2

4 Supporting Point/Evidence 3

5 Sentence relating back to the thesis statement (optional)

Conclusion
Sentence One: Restate your thesis
Do not copy paste your thesis from your intro. Paraphrase!

Sentence Two: Restate topic sentences

Summarize your topic sentences as briefly as possible

Sentence Three: Opinion (Optional)

Depending on the type of writing, you might need to add your personal
opinion

Sentence Four: Concluding Statement

This is flexible, but always close your essay. Either with takeaway point,
call-to-action, plausible solution, etc.
 Writing Process

Step One: Brainstorming - Developing Ideas

Step Two: Outlining - Organizing Thoughts into Structures

Step Three: Drafting - Letting the creative process flow

Step Four: Editing - Correcting, adding more details, improving content

Step Five: Proofreading - Checking for accuracies (punctuation, spelling)

Atlaz Writing Rubric Example

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General Tips

● Don’t write and edit at the same time

● Read more to sharpen your toolbox
● Start with an outline
● Identify the question and always think about what the thesis statement is
before you start writing
● Don’t be afraid to ask someone to proofread your writing
● Always make sure to do a word-count before submitting your essay. Your
grades will automatically be deducted if you write less than what you’re
supposed to.
● Odd numbers are easier to remember than even numbers. I would say three is
the magic number. Not too short, not too long.
 Specific Tips

● Avoid using too many adverbs such as “very” and try to replace them
with more fitting words
● Learn how to paraphrase
● Learn how to summarize
● Learn how to use transitions to make your writing flow better
● Since everything is computerized and digitized, learn how to type faster.
The last thing you want to think of is not being fast enough to write down
the ideas you have in your head
● If you have problems with spelling, that means you need to handwrite
more (no auto-correction).
● Writing under time constraint is different than writing at your leisure time.
Use stopwatch to time yourself when practicing
Teaching Speaking Sub Skills

- Making use of grammar, vocabulary, and functions

- Making use of register to speak appropriately
- Using features of connected speech
- Using body language
- Producing different text types
- Oral fluency
- Interactive strategies

Source: TKT Module 1

 Silent Period
“The period, when learners are taking
in language, processing it and perhaps silently
practising it, is known as the ‘silent period’
and is thought to
be an important stage in language acquisition.”
- TKT Module 1
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/images/168878-tkt-module-1-exposure-to-language-and-focus-on-
form.pdf
Differentiated Instructions - Equity in Learning

● Understand your students’ backgrounds (prior school

experience, family, life, interests, skills,
languages-known)
● Teachers differentiate Content, Process, Conduct
based on Readiness, Interest and Learning Profile.
● Equality ≠ Equity | Fair ≠ Equal
→ Individualized Outcome
● Reflect on how you think you’ve been a fair teacher in
your class
● Turn challenges into opportunities (group interaction,
changing our mindset about big classrooms, make
strong students little teachers)
Teaching Receptive Skills - Reading

If we want to focus on any skills, we need to be more specific:

- “Students, we are going to read this paragraph and answer

some questions” → “Students, we are going to read this
paragraph one time to get the gist or general idea what the
reading is about, then we are going to read the questions
to figure out what we need to find in the reading, then, we
are going to look for the answers by reading the text
again.”
- Teach your students to strategize.

Source:
https://athome.readinghorizons.com/reading-academy/phonemic-awareness
Teaching Receptive Skills - Reading - Reading Is Boring?

Students or even adults might say: “I don’t like reading”

Is that true?

Reading is so broad. Maybe they prefer watching TVs instead

of reading novels. But that doesn’t mean the person doesn’t
like reading at all. What about reading comic books? What
about reading posts on Instagram? What about chatting with
your friends using WhatsApp? All those require reading of
some sort.
Teaching Receptive Skills - Reading - What Can We Do?

- Build a culture of reading.

- Understand that all skills are interconnected: reading,
listening, speaking, writing. None is more important than
the others. See them as a whole. Children need balanced
skills.
- Utilize what children like. Children like reading comics? No
problem. Incorporate reading out loud, ask for plots, ask
them to explain, get productive. Children like doing?
Incorporate roleplay, use scripts, get interactive.
- If you have young children, have you considered reading
bedtime stories?
Teaching Receptive Skills - Phonics for All

Phonics in action:
Visual (Recognizing letters)
Auditory (Sound of the letters)
Kinesthetic (Tracing)
Teaching Receptive Skills - Reading - International Phonetic Alphabet

Why is pronunciation Remember:

important?
English is not a phonetic
Improving language. It doesn’t
pronunciation will help always sound the way it
learners to be is written.
understood better.
Not to be confused with
Singing the alphabet
accent, pronunciation is
songs or phonics
about saying the words
songs definitely help,
in an easily understood
even if the learners
way, thus improving
are not young
communication between
anymore.
two speakers.

International Phonetic Alphabet

Teaching Receptive Skills - Listening - Should We Allow Subtitles?

Encourage
Don’t your students
prevent your to use
students from subtitles in
using English
subtitles. instead of
their native
Subtitles language.
help a lot
especially to It is Okay
understand when
different students
accents they encounter
are not words they
familiar of. don’t
understand.
Teach them
context
clues.
Teaching Receptive Skills - Listening - Using Audio Transcripts

When students are struggling to do any listening exercises, use

transcripts and be creative. Do a role play. Identify difficult
words. Ask them to relisten.
Classroom Assessments - Formative and Summative Assessments

Ever-Evolving Targeted Assessment Pedagogy

 Classroom Assessments - Consolidation as a Way to Assess

- Every lesson should be consolidated properly and this is a good

chance for you to assess your students.
- Ask simple questions such as: “what did we learn today?” could get
you started.
- Ask more specific questions such as: “I go or went to the park this
morning?”
- Ask students to line up and wait for their turn to answer individual
questions can also be a good way to assess → Exit Ticket
- Ask students to present a short presentation in front of the class can
be a good way to assess and build students’ confidence.
Classroom Assessments - Book Features

Each unit has its own review

section that can help teachers
go over everything that has
been taught in that unit!

At the
Each Unitend
hasofits
every
ownlesson,
review
you will be reminded to ask
section that can help teachers
self-reflective questions.
go over everything that has
Utilize
been it yourself
taught in that too.
unit!
Classroom Assessments - Online Quizzes

Self-study quizzes that can be

taken multiple times that can
be used as formative
assessments as well.
Classroom Assessments - Unit Assessments
Artificial Intelligence - Diffusion of Innovations Theory
Artificial Intelligence - Opportunity

According to UNESCO’s 2023 data, only seven countries (China,

Finland, Georgia, Qatar, Spain, Thailand, and Turkey) reported they
had been developing frameworks or training programmes on AI for
teachers.
What Atlaz Provides
Thank you for listening!
See you in our next webinar/workshop!