You’ve done your research, and you know what you want to teach. You’ve thought about the best way to present your information—and ideally, you have a game plan in place for how the whole thing is going to work. But now it’s time to really get down to business: getting ready for that quiz like which of the following is a requirement for supporting the aero user interface. If you want them on their toes and enthusiastic about learning more, these 10 tips will help make your teaching presentation as impactful as possible.
Master the art of quiz with these 10 tips:
1. Start with a Bang
A quiz can be an exciting, buzz-worthy moment in the classroom. If you want your students to pay attention—and want to grab their interest and get them talking afterward—start with a bang. An excellent way to do this is by asking a question that you know they won’t know the answer to: they’ll be motivated to solve it, and start paying close attention right away. You might want to put some thought into different ways you can deliver your question. Quotes are especially great for this; ask them how well they remember lines from their favorite movie or book, or if they can tell which character said what line from a memorable scene in class.
2. Use the Right Vocabulary
If you’re just getting started in ESL, or if your students are still developing their language skills, you’ll want to make sure you use vocabulary that is appropriate for them. This will help them focus on what you’re saying, and also keep them from tuning out later if they don’t quite know what you mean. If your class is advanced enough, feel free to throw in some advanced terms here and there. Use this opportunity to teach phrases or expressions that will come up again later in a lesson or unit.
3. Use Visuals
Visuals are a great way to grab student attention and quickly break down the presentation. If you can display an image that displays what information is relevant or important, it will bring your message home faster. In one of our language classes, we had students draw images they saw in a text or movie clip. They took notes on them as we translated and discussed the same material together. This was extremely effective because it brought the meaning of the material to light right away, with no explanation.
4. Use Videos
Using videos as a teaching tool can be very effective. If you can get your students to watch the video in class, they’ll be able to see the material you’re talking about and compare it to their own experiences and ideas. You might also want to create a podcast, and use it in class. This adds an audio component that we don’t always get with videos alone. When students listen to your audio presentation, they can hear you actually speaking the material first hand, which is great practice for practicing your pronunciation later in the unit or lesson.
5. Keep It Short and Sweet
If you want students to pay attention to your quiz, it should be quick. In just a few minutes, you can cover an entire topic without overwhelming your students or boring them. If you try to get too much out at once, they won’t be able to remember what you’re saying. By keeping it short and sweet, they will be able to follow along easily, and give 100 percent of their attention at all times.
6. Use an Advance Question
If you’re trying to teach something that isn’t on the curriculum yet or you don’t know where to start, an advanced question is a great way to introduce a new topic. You can ask the students if they know about or have encountered certain topics before. You might also want to make up questions based on what you’re teaching and how students may have encountered it in the past. This will help them better understand your lesson by allowing them to recall some of this material in a more recent context, making it easier for them to understand.
7. Use Pronunciation Practice
If you’re teaching a new word or phrase, you should always use an example that is relevant to your students. Try looking through a list of student names for inspiration—or, in the case of my ESL students, look no further than their local language newspaper. If you can find something that ties into the overall theme of your presentation, it will be even easier to get your point across.
8. Use Cheat Sheets
If you want students to pay close attention in your quiz, give them a cheat sheet before you start. This will get them thinking about what they’re about to learn, and allow them to get prepared for this information ahead of time. At my ESL classes, I always write the words out in front of my students in a visible place. This will help them to better remember the words you spoke.
9. Keep It Informal
If your students are used to English at home and they’re used to having a positive rapport with each other, it can be hard for them to switch gears and get serious about their learning. Try keeping your presentation informal at first—casual even—and see how that goes. If you can get them engaged with each other, giving them genuine praise for paying attention when everyone else isn’t looking, this will help keep the mood upbeat and positive.
10. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
Asking questions is a great way to keep students engaged and on track—and it’s also a great way to get them talking. This can be particularly helpful if you’re trying to teach something that is new or difficult. Instead of just repeating what you want them to “get,” ask them for examples of how to use the word or practice saying the sentence over and over again.
Conclusion:
Deliver your quiz well and you’ll give your students the best chance of success. By following these tips, you can ensure that your students are paying close attention to what you’re saying and remember everything they learned in your lesson. These are just a few ways to do it, but there are plenty of others that have worked for me in the past!
