The importance of meaningful output

In my previous post I mentioned creating an awareness of how much time is spent by the teacher talking versus how much time each individual student speaks.  Building on that idea, just because students spend a greater proportion of time talking in class, does that mean they’re improving? 

Meaningful output is a term I use to indicate that when students are speaking and writing, there is a clear focus and purpose that fits into a larger training plan.  Otherwise their work in class might just be a lot of activity with little achievement.  

In basketball, for example, coaches spend much of their practice time having their team work on fundamentals:  footwork, passing, setting good screens, and shooting form, to name a few.   All the basic skills need to be continually practiced in order to successfully execute the more complicated aspects of the game, such as running plays and playing team defense.  Players want to be "fundamentally sound."

That brings me to my question for you to ponder: What does it mean to be fundamentally sound when speaking a language? 

Here is another task-n-tip:

Task: For five consecutive lessons with the same class, when you have your students do group or partner work, write down exactly what the focus is each time and what you hope for them to improve.  Keep it simple but be specific. 

My goal is for the students to improve __________. 

They will do this by _____________.

Tip: Create an awareness of the exact focus and purpose of your partner and group work. 

Remember to rethink your role: be a coach preparing your students to speak English accurately and confidently in their daily lives.   They need to have a lot of meaningful output.

“Never mistake activity for achievement.” - John Wooden