Developing Dynamic Units for EFL

In foreign language situations, it can be challenging to find real-life communicative contexts in which to use the target language.When teaching English as a Foreign Language ( EFL) at any level, the classroom has to be a place in which language is not only taught but also used meaningfully. If language is being used meaningfully in the classroom, it is not taught only in isolated chunks or by breaking the language into its grammatical or semantic components. Instead, language is being used within a context that either mirrors real world discourse or possibly uses subject matter content, such as science, math,business,law,etc., depending on age of the learners and their purpose for studying English. Using theme-based language instruction, which is one type of content-based instruction, can be helpful for various age groups and proficiency levels. Brinton ( 2003) supports the use of this approach when the purpose for EFL students is language acquisition. According to Brinton " The thematic content stretches over several weeks of instruction, providing rich input for lessons that are either language-based or skills-based. In this environment, students can successfully acquire language." For EFL teachers, developing thematic units around their required curriculum can be a way to build a larger context in which to teach language that spans a group of lessons and can provide more opportunities for communicating in English.

By Joan Kang Shin (lecturer for the U.S Department of State), Forum Magazine Volume 45 Number 2, 2007