Observation Table, Task 1:

Reasons for speaking in the classroom

Class: grade 2/2
students

Number of learners: 21

Length of lesson: 10 minutes (circle time)

observed: Ms. Zinab Ali

Teacher

Language Learning Goals: Analysis the flash cards of

family member and develop children's language skills in
oral expression (talking about their family members)
Materials used: small white board for teacher, marker and
flash cards of a family members.

Reason for speaking

1

Learner repeats word(s) after teacher

- (whole class together)
Learner repeats word(s) after teacher
- (group / pair together)
Learner repeats word / phrase after
teacher
- (individual )
Learner answers direct question from

teacher
Learner answers open question from

teacher
Learner asks teacher a question

2
3

7
8
9

Learner answers a partner in English

- (pair/ group work activity)
Learner answers a partner in Arabic
- (pair/ group work activity)
Learner speaks to the teacher
informally
- (Add E for English; A for Arabic)

Learner A
( Dana)

Learner
B
(Roudh
a)

Learner C
(Shaima)

___

E:
A:

E:

A:

E:
A:

1
0

Other reason(s) for speaking

She was shy

and confused

She was
confident
and
known

She always
talking with the
teacher as the
same time and
chatting with
friends while the
teacher is
talking.

After the Observation

Write your answers in the boxes:
What was the most common reason for speaking?
Two most reasons were learner repeats word(s) after teacher and learner repeat
words / phrase after teacher.

What was the least common reason for speaking?

The least common was learner asks teacher a question.

Were there any boxes with no ticks?

In Q6 with learner A: Learner asks teacher a question.

How much of the lesson was spent on the teacher using

Teacher Talk, in your opinion?

I think more than 3 times of the lesson because the teacher was talking a lot when
she explaining the lesson, repeat the words of family members and giving
instructions for activities.

Do you feel it was too much / too little / just the right amount
of talk? Why / Why not?

I feel it was the right amount of talk because the MST started to talk with children
in first class in circle time as a warm up and asking questions to check their
understanding with allows them to answer and express their opinion.

What do you think is an appropriate sequence of interaction

patterns?

It's very good because the MST used the flash cards and the white board to help
her talk with children with encouraging them to participate for talking with the
teacher and classmate.

Now consider how much Arabic was used. Do you think it was
used appropriately?
Why? / Why not?

It was too little used Arabic in talking time. Yes, because the MST just used Arabic
for explain meanings and new vocabulary.

Extra reflection
You do not have to do this activity. However, if you want a
higher grade, you must do it. If you are interested in thinking
about this subject more, consider the following reflection.
Reflection
Choose one of the following:
A.

Why is talk important?

for teachers?
for learners? (Think about the What and How.)

B. Why is it important to think about using English for varied

purposes in the classroom? For example, not just for giving an
example, but also for correcting, for praising, for everyday uses,
like asking for help, or asking to borrow something?

Reflection (Task one)

A.

Why is talk important?

For teacher:
- Teacher talks to explain the lesson for children, giving
clear instructions, practice t listening and interactive
with her also to make a good dialogue with them and
that provides the teacher with vital feedback on the
progress of learning.
For students:
- Talking will help children and giving many
opportunities to develop their learning language and

practise a range of important speaking and thinking

skills. For example, they are the ability to narrate
stories, explain, explore, instruct, ask questions,
express their opinion, imagine and analyse and solve
problems.
- Children have learnt to talk and talk to learn and that
will achieve when the teacher has a talk and make
with children a great dialogue. Also, asking questions
that they able to explore and learn about the world
around them