Teacher Guide
This exercise practises writing skills. The linked lesson plan includes details on how to structure the essay. Discuss this with the students and talk about using the correct tone. Review useful linking expressions. After correcting their work, have the student read their essay back to you.
10mins - Conversation: Speaking Part 3: Plan a trip together. Students have been put in charge of planning the next class trip. They must work in pairs to discuss their ideas. Students should practice using phrases such as 'Why don't we...?, How about...? What do you think about...?' The focus should be on effectively making and responding to suggestions.
05mins - Review the online homework. What topics were discussed? Was the homework easy, medium or difficult? Answer any questions the students may have.
10mins - Skill practice: discuss the structure of an essay: introduction, three main paragraphs, and a conclusion. For each 'point' include a statement, explanation and example. Use appropriate language that considers the audience. Give some example topics and discuss together the possible structure of the essay. 10mins - Test: 23 writing practice - part 1 - Create an outline together, and focus on the construction of the body paragraphs. The introduction and conclusion can be assigned as homework.
10mins - Worksheet: page 24 Past Perfect
10mins - Game: debate a topic: Ex: should schools have uniforms? How old should the voting age be? Should people be required to spend one year in the military? Students must take a side and defend their position.
05mins - Warm-down, goodbye, see you next time.
00mins - Homework: Complete the next section of the online homework.
1) Successful essays address the question or statement in a clear and logical way.
2) Be sure to keep all ideas and opinions relevant to the question.
3) Students need to be capable of discussing the advantages and disadvantages of all kinds of topics at the B2 level.
4) Students are required to support their opinions with examples and additional information.
5) Practise planning and organising your essay by preparing an outline which states the core points and reasons you will discuss in the essay.
6) Use effective linking expressions and cohesive tools to keep the essay well connected.
7) Use a variety of methods for introducing and concluding your arguments.
8) A five-paragraph essay style is a good way to keep everything organised and structured.
Check:
- Is the essay organised into paragraphs?
- Have both suggested ideas been discussed?
- Has the student written about a third idea?
- Is the language used moderately formal?
- Has the student written between 140 and 190 words?-has the student used linking expressions?