SRT Assignment

I have chosen the authentic written text “NO CASH FOR GIFTS? SHARE YOUR TASTE IN MUSIC
INSTEAD!” by Melissa Dutton provided by my tutor M.Blanchard. I have chosen this text because music is the
language of the soul and despite people having different tastes in music, it is something that connects us and
creates a common talking ground. Music is something that everybody can enjoy regardless of where they are
from and whether they understand the lyrics. Depending on the mood it can alleviate sadness and calm us down
in distress.

This text is suitable for the level of my learners because it can spark common interest and it is in fairly simple
language. Most of the terms used are easy to understand and will not need a lot of pre-teaching. It consists of
terms that are very commonly used today regarding technology and music. This text would get the learners
excited and since everyone would want to share their opinion, it would generate interesting interaction and
input.

READING FOR GIST

The article states different ways people use of sharing music with people. The reading for gist activity would
ask learners to list the ways which are written in the article. The sub-skill required for this activity would be
scanning since we are asking learners to look for specific information. The task will be given before the learners
are given the text so that they know what the purpose behind the reading is. They will be given a time limit for
the task to give them a chance to practice for the sub-skill of scanning. The concept of the task is to gather the
required information in a limited amount of time and that can only be accomplished through setting a time limit.

After the activity, the learners would pair check the answers and then open class feedback would be done. A
lesson without feedback “is teaching that proceeds forward without reference to what impact this is having on
the learner’...” (Learning Teaching, Third edition 2011, Jim Scrivener, Macmillan)

The learners will be reminded to search for the specific information being asked for and don’t have to read the
entire article word by word. This skill is helpful in real life as it saves time and also allows the learner
confidence and trust in his own abilities to gather information he needs without having to read every word, for
example an exhibition brochure for venue and timings, or a menu for a specific dish.

READING FOR DEEPER COMPREHENSION

People share music for different reasons as it is shared in the article. The activity for detailed information
consists of questions about why people share music. It will consist of 6 questions; the learners will have to read
thoroughly to get the answers. After the task, they will compare answers with their partner in pair work and then
elicit some answers in open class feedback. The task will be given before the text so that the learners know why
they are reading the text thoroughly and what information to look for.

The sub-skill required for this activity is to grasp the concept of what is written and does it answer the question
being asked or not. This skill is relevant in real life when we have to interpret what is being said without it
being explicit. “Successful interpretation of this kind depends largely to a large extent on shared schemata as in
the example of the lecturer who, by saying to a student you’re in a non-smoking zone was understood to be
asking the student to put out her cigarette. (Harmer,J.The Practise of English Language Teaching, 3rdEdition,
Longman, 2001)

PRODUCTIVE SKILL TASK

I would set a writing task for this productive skill. The learners have heard and read about the topic and a
guided writing task could be interesting. The task would be set up in the following way: ‘you have to send your
favorite music to someone’. Answer the following questions:

1. Who would you send it to?

2. Why did you choose that particular person?

3. Mention 3 songs that you would send.

4. Your reason for choosing those songs.

After the task, the learners can share their written thoughts with their partner and tell what they learnt about
their partner in open class feedback. This way they get to share with everyone their favorite music and the
reasons behind their choice. The teacher will give feedback on content and use of appropriate terms with the
context.

Creative writing is “a journey of self-discovery and self-discovery promotes effective learning”. (Gaffield Vile,
N 1998 Creative writing in the ELT classroom, Modern English Teacher 7/3)

Writing as a productive skill is appropriate as learner get to use the terms they have read in the lesson and the
teacher can get a good idea of how well the concept has been grasped by the learners. The sub skills required for
this task are using appropriate word order, grammar and knowledge of how to express a particular meaning
using different forms of grammar.
Reference

1. Brown, H. Douglas, Teaching by Principles. An interactive Approach to Language Pedagogy, Prentice Hall
Regents, 1994

2. Harmer,J.The Practise of English Language Teaching, 3rdEdition, Longman, 2001

3. Gaffield Vile, N 1998 Creative writing in the ELT classroom, Modern English Teacher 7/3

4. Jim Scrivener, Macmillan, Learning Teaching, Third edition 2011,

READING FOR GIST
List all the ways in which people can share their music as stated in the article.

a. _________________

b._________________

c._________________

d._________________

READING FOR DEEPER COMPREHENSION

List 3 reasons why people feel that sharing music is better than any other gift?

1._____________________________________________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________________________________________

PRODUCTIVE TASK
You have to give music as a gift.

1. To whom would you give it to?

__________________________________________________________________________________

2. Why did you choose this person?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

3. List 3 songs that you would send. Give one reason each for choosing that particular song.

a.song____________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
reason____________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

b.song____________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

reason____________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

c.song____________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

reason____________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
 ANSWER KEY
READING FOR GIST
List all the ways in which people can share their music as stated in the article.

a. ____CD___________

b.___website_________

c._____spotify _______

d.______USB_______

READING FOR DEEPER COMPREHENSION

List at least 3 reasons why people feel that sharing music is better than any other gift?

1. It is a good idea for people who don’t like writing letters.

2. It is a great way of showing people what you did, the places you visited and how they affected you.

3. It is a great way to connect with friends.

4. It is easy to seek put new music and sharing it with people and getting feedback from around the world.