Teaching Speaking using Information-Gap

Teaching Speaking using Information-Gap

As information-gap activity is done in group, the teaching procedures is like group-work activity.  Before talking more about group work activity, it is better to know the meaning of group work.  According to Brown (2000: 177), group work is a technique in which two or more students are assigned a task that involves collaboration and self-initiated language.  It means that in group activity, the teacher should divide the students into pairs or a group of three or more students.

Further, Brown (2000: 187) stated the procedures of group work activity.  The procedures or steps in teaching speaking using information-gap are as follows:

a.          Introduce the technique

     In this step, the teacher introduces what activity will be done, including the rules where the students have to work in group or pairs and what they should do.

b.         Model the technique

      In this step, the teacher should give model as the example in doing the technique.  In this case, the teacher can do it with one of the students to come forward as a model with the teacher.  Next model is a pair of students in the class to come forward and practice it.

c.          Give explicit detailed instructions

     Here, the teacher gives detail rules how to do this activity, including what the students should do in this activity.

d.         Divide the class into groups

    After giving example and gives detail rules, the teacher should divide the students into group or pairs.  In this information-gap activity, the teacher divides the students into pairs.

e.          Check for clarification

    What is meant by check for clarification here is the teacher asks the students whether they understand or not.  It can be done by controlling the students’ activity from group to group.

f.          Set the task in motion

    In this way, the teacher sets the activity in joyful and relax situation.  Here, the students are free from being forced.  So, they have to do the task freely and enjoyably so that they can be motivated to do the task well.

Source:

Brown, Douglas, H., 2000 . Principles of Language Learning and Teaching . London : Longman.