Speaking lesson (emphasis on cohesive devices): Parliamentary simulation & UN SDG 2030

Main skill (Speaking):

4.2 Communicate with appropriate language, form and style 

Complementary skill (Writing):

2.1 Communicate information, ideas, opinions and feelings intelligibly on familiar topics

Materials: 

List of cohesive devices (with Malay translation), United Nation's list of 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, dictionary

Objectives:

1. Students will be able to use a wide range of organisational patterns, cohesive devices and connectors (Bandscore of 4 to 6 for Grammar aspect - based on CEFR-aligned speaking assessment rubric)

2. Students will be able to elaborate on the problems and causes surrounding their school or community and provide solutions. (Problems are based on UN SDG 2030)

*This lesson spans a few weeks

Week 1:

1. Show videos of Malaysian (Parlimen Belia) and UK Youth Parliament to the students to give them a picture of what the debate will look like. 

2. Teach the cohesive devices one by one.

3. Instruct students to practice writing the sentences based on the ist of cohesive devices

Week 2:

1. Teacher asks students what issues they face in the school or community. Elicit ideas based on UN's SDG 2030. 

2. Students get into groups based on a similar theme of UN SDG 2030. The purpose of this is for them to collaborate and generate ideas and solutions.

3. Students write down their speeches. The teacher reminds students of the usage of cohesive devices.

4. Teacher checks students' speeches. Primary things to check apart from grammar is to make sure that students have elaborated on problems, reasons, solutions, as well as the correct usage of cohesive devices.

5. Format of the speech:

• Situation
• Cause of the situation
• Result of the situation
•  Suggestion
• Other countries that we can follow

Week 3:

1. Teacher calls students one by one to practice their speeches in front of him/her. Pay attention to the usage of cohesive devices. Provide feedback if necessary. 

Note on this: Some may just memorize their speeches without understanding them. I suggest asking them to summarize their speech verbally in Malay as an indication they understand what they're talking about.

Week 4: 

1. Students present their speeches to the whole class. (Tell them that they can look at NOTES, not read the whole speech)

2. Encourage students to ask questions to their classmates.

Reflection:

The lesson plan above is catered to low-intermediate English proficiency level students. Some students could perform the speaking activity quickly but some couldn't. Focus more on the low proficiency level students. Have another round of this activity if possible and provide more guidance for the low proficient students.

Malaysian parliament

Please inform me if there are any errors. Email me at zell_kris@yahoo.com.

** Please use this lesson plan only for personal usage. Therefore, the materials here are not to be sold. Include the link when sharing.