Speaker
Description
Small talk activities are commonly used in JHS English classes but often lack systematic planning. This presentation proposes a three-year scope and sequence using spaced retrieval and recycling, provides easy-to-follow lesson steps and classroom tips, and supports teachers in creating consistent small-talk routines and dealing with common challenges.
Keywords
small talk, JHS
Abstract
JHS English teachers are expected to develop their students’ interactive speaking skills through short, communicative speaking tasks, often referred to as small talk. While these tasks are widely used in many classrooms, they are often treated as isolated, stand-alone activities rather than a planned sequence of learning. As a result, students can struggle to build fluency and interactional competence over time.
In this practice-oriented presentation, I will outline a scope and sequence for small talk activities across the three years of JHS, with a focus on planned, spaced retrieval and systematic recycling of previously learned language points. Drawing on my own experience of training JHS English teachers, I will also present clear, replicable small talk lesson steps and offer practical tips for classroom management.
After the presentation, participants will be better able to plan their own small talk curriculum for their schools, apply a consistent lesson framework and troubleshoot common challenges when implementing small talk activities.
Short summary
Small talk activities are commonly used in JHS English classes but often lack systematic planning. This presentation proposes a three-year scope and sequence using spaced retrieval and recycling, provides easy-to-follow lesson steps and classroom tips, and supports teachers in creating consistent small-talk routines and dealing with common challenges.
| Scheduling preference | Anytime on Saturday |
|---|---|
| Title | Building interactive speaking skills through 'small talk' activities in JHS |