Transcript Adapting activities in the Lexical Approach

Adapting activities in the
Lexical Approach
Michael Lewis
Activities versus Exercises
 Best done cooperatively in pairs or
groups
 Solitary
 Have both linguistic
and non-linguistic
outcomes
 Exclusively linguistic
focus
 For the classroom
usage
 Paper-based
 For reflective class
time or homework
Basic types of activities
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Text search 1 – underline completely fixed expressions,
adj.+noun collocations, expressions with the verb, etc.
Text search 2 – put the word in the appropriate column
to indicate the type of collocation( Adj.-N, N-N, V-N, VAdj.-N, V-N-N, V-Adv.)
Find the noun, find the collocate ( books closed, try to
recall the main content
Paragraph headings( 6- max 10 pairs)
Phrase matching ( text + a set of incomplete phrases)
Sphagetti matching ( self-correcting, visually more
interesting,students could make their own
Collocation transparencies 8 two-column format, while
showing, cover one column; good for quick revision
Basic types of exercises
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Matching ( collocations, sentence halves,
questions/answers)
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Sequencing ( dialogues, narratives, lexis with a logical/
time sequence)
Categorising ( by meaning, form, formality)
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Unjumbling ( fixed phrases, expressions, syntax)
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Completing( any type of lexis, most general task type:
usually gap-filling)
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Deleting ( collocations/ grammar patterns. This is the
main Review task type)
NB! Attention on the length and sequencing of
exercises
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A: If things……., we might be able to go.
B: We might be able to afford to go, if things ………. .(
easier, because English sentences usually go from
known info or “topic” to new info or “ focus” . The first
words of a sentence usually tell you what the sentence
is about.
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A: She told me to take a few days to ……………..his job
offer.
B: There`s no need to decide now. You might need a
couple of days to ……….the offer.
a) think b) wonder c) consider d)decide
A – decontextualised, single-sentence exercise,
B- highly probable, useful language
Matching – not too many examples, not too many
possible answers, items should be logically ordered.
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