general principles of you are the course book method

General Principles of You Are The Course Book Method (08.01.13)

Benefits for students:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Your work
Your ideas
Your current errors discussed
Your present needs met
You do the hard work
You are engaged
T provides the opportunity and the framework: T = form, SS = content

Students:
•
•
•

Student-centred – they do most of the work
Students work together in pairs and groups, not individually. Little or no individual “brain >
content” time
Students need to be active learners and work hard. Lessons will be demanding. There is no
free ride. You have to work

Teacher:

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Teacher is a guide. No top-down teaching. Elicit don’t tell
Teacher has to be patient and let the students find the answers
Let SS make mistakes. They will learn from their errors
If you don’t know the answer, “trick it”, or ask the students to find out. Don’t lose your authority
Your positioning is important, e.g. where you stand. Don’t stand over students. Stand away.
When with them, sit with them at their level and make eye contact
Teacher can disappear. Save your energy! Don’t burn yourself up like the candle which gives
light. The students should use their energy. They are there to learn. You are a guide directing
them but not doing it for them
Teacher controls the timing in the lesson, ensuring a variety of activities and elements are
covered
Teacher controls the student input, encouraging everybody to get involved

Both:
•

Improvise – don’t block. Take other people’s ideas on board. Say “Yes”! Don’t be dismissive

Environment:
•
•

•
•
•

The classroom language is English
There is a whiteboard and pens, or blackboard and chalk. There is a clock; desks, chairs;
students bring with them notebooks, pens, dictionaries
Use the board – it democratises the process. Everyone can see the work as it progresses
There are resources, e.g. dictionaries, reference books, novels, newspapers, magazines, etc.
The layout of the furniture is important. Sit students so they are in pairs and facing each
another rather than facing you

The Modes:
•
•
•

Take as long as you want with Mode 1
All the skills are practised regularly – reading, writing, speaking, and listening, but the focus is
on productive skills – speaking and writing
7 elements of English are practised regularly – vocabulary, text (reading and listening),
grammar, verb forms, pronunciation, free practice, and writing

55