Structured Language Practice IV: Lines of Communication

What is "Lines of Communication?"
For this strategy, students are asked to either sit or stand facing one another in a line, such that every student has a partner they are facing. The objective is to respond to a language prompt using a language response sentence frame- hence practicing the grammatical form and/or topical vocabulary being targeted. Once both students get a chance to practice/ respond, one side of the line shifts over one student, such that every student on one side of the line now faces a new student. The cycle then repeats with Student A responding while Student B listens, switch, then Student A moves on to the next student.

Variations and Uses
Once students become more adept at using this strategy, one student can ask the language prompt while the other responds using a language frame. This is particularly powerful if used during the Supervised Independent Practice time of an ELD lesson, as it allows English Learners to practice both language prompts and responses, and allow them to increase their confidence in both skills. After more practice as a class you can generate more examples of the target grammatical form that they can use to expand the type of responses they can provide.

I hope these different structured language practices are starting to illustrate an important aspect of good ELD instruction: No matter how amazing ELD teachers we may be, we don't need to practice producing grammatical forms and target vocabulary, it is our students who need it! So why then do so many teachers talk the entire time?!! In ELD, at least 50% of the block should be devoted to these type of structured language practices that will, over time and with consistent use, help us develop English Speakers who are competent, flexible and have a wide breadth of vocabulary and grammatical forms they can employ in a variety of situations.

Have fun!

- W