On the Lead-in Skills in English Teaching

劉玉紅 高靜波

【Abstract】Classroom lead-in is an important part of English classroom teaching procedure. Successful classroom lead-in has a great influence on improving students interest in learning English and thus improving the effectiveness of English classroom teaching. This paper discusses the ways and functions of English classroom lead-in and the problems that should be solved in order to improve the teaching efficiency and English teachers ability and double the effect with half the effort.

【Key words】Skills; lead-in; English teaching

【作者簡介】劉玉紅，高靜波，江蘇海事職業技術學院。

1. Several ways of English classroom lead-in

Research shows that English learning motivation is closely related to English learning achievement. Interest is the key to all learning. Experienced English teachers usually take some skills to stimulate students curiosity and enthusiasm for learning English at the beginning of a class activity.

1.1 Classroom questions

By asking questions， teachers can arouse students curiosity and thus lead students to English teaching activities. Excellent English teachers should be able to select appropriate questions to ask before introducing English materials， guide students to think and focus their interests on the classroom from the beginning of class.

1.2 Telling stories

The context of the story can also help students understand unfamiliar knowledge and arouse their curiosity. On the other hand， telling stories can stimulate students imagination. Teachers can also let students tell interesting stories so as to introduce a new lesson. Various interesting stories can create vivid classroom atmosphere.

1.3 Playing games

Games can provide a meaningful learning environment. More importantly， games can enhance students interest in learning. If teachers can design interesting games to start a new lesson， students will immediately calm down and eagerly participate in English learning activities.

2. Several problems teachers should pay attention to in Lead-in application

Successful English classroom lead-in can indeed arouse students interest in learning English. However， successful classroom lead-in and cultivation of students interest in English learning are not an easy task. The following problems should be paid attention to by teachers in application of lead-in.

2.1 Diversify classroom activities

Classroom activities need diversity. If teachers always use the same method at the beginning of each lesson， students will feel bored and have no new ideas of what the teachers are talking about. Therefore， teachers should consciously design appropriate teaching activities to encourage students to maintain and enhance their interest in learning English. Only when students experience rich classroom activities can they enjoy happiness in English learning.

2.2 Use flexible classroom lead-in methods

In classroom teaching， teachers should use flexible methods to introduce English class. That is to say， teachers should adopt different classroom lead-in methods according to different classroom contents and different classroom environments. Once the teacher feels that the students interest in the classroom is reduced， he should take immediate measures， such as improving the voice， changing the speed of speech and stress， etc. In short， teachers should flexibly use lead-in skills to attract students attention and help students actively participate in English classroom teaching from the beginning.

2.3 Establish a good relationship between teachers and students

Research shows that a good teacher-student relationship can make students have a more positive attitude towards English learning. Experienced English teachers should clearly realize the importance of teachers image in students eyes. During the classroom lead-in phase， when students cannot answer the questions raised by the teacher， if the teacher encourages the students， or patiently inspires the students to think and answer the questions， the students will regard the teacher as friends and the learning effect will be much better.

3. Conclusion

To sum up， the lead-in of English class is an indispensable link to improve the English teaching effect and improving the art of lead-in is a long and complicated process. Teachers need to deeply understand and study how to make full use of classroom lead-in to stimulate students interest in English learning， so that students can fully participate in English classroom teaching and learning.