Balanced-skills: Why

Over-emphasizing Speaking
Can be a Problem
J. David Hyre
Sapporo International University

Japanese people cant speak English.

Perceived reason:
Few, if any opportunities to speak.

Actual reasons: ??

Mistaken attribution:
Passive learning-based classes, large class size
and reluctance to studying independently
outside of class have made a scapegoat of
grammar, reading and other language elements.
Students expect more speaking,
However

Over-emphasis on speaking activity in class

may lead to:
Insufficient review of material material is forgotten
Students are not tested on listening (though 70% of
conversational ability according to most training
materials)
Limited breadth of comprehension and expression
Limited expansion of vocabulary
Limited development of grammar
Limited pronunciation progress (= students dont
recognize sounds and listening suffers)

An Optimized Model Setting

for Balanced Skills

Multiple teachers & Division into groups

Criterion-referenced high quality method of teaching to the test.

Everyone on the same page

Flexibility & freedom

Balancing out the program:

Material covered slowly

Clear instructional (test) cycles

Repeating test preparation & Test format/ design

Textbook and homework activities always of similar design.

Systematic review

4 Skills + Pronunciation, Vocabulary & Grammar

Each grammar point covered three times in the cycle

Speaking and reading topics are related and contain the same grammar and vocab.

Time left over

Textbook Top Notch 1 & 2

10 page units, divided into lessons 1-4

Strong grammar, vocabulary and teacher resource

Weak listening CD

Listening homework CD can be constructed from Teacher CDs

Important Handout Page 1 - Top

Rotation

Teachers rotate every third class (2X a week preferable)

Two unit lessons per rotations

Material is covered very slowly

Scorecard

Check homework completion

Scored on effort and attitude

Vehicle for exchange

Two classes a week Same day & Class periods for all

After lunch

Schedule

Adjacent

small classrooms/ rotation every third class

Important Handout Page 2 Bottom

Exam review sheet

Specific review of:

Model sentences from each unit

Dialogue performances

Important question & answer (You questions)

Also reminds students about listening, reading & Vocabulary

Related Materials:

Textbook CD Only for modeling of target sentences

CD Created from Teacher CD Set Vocabulary & Listening

Vocabulary cards

Thank you for attending!