Eltam journal no 2 8th eltam iatefl tesol international biannual conference managing teaching and learning

Exploring Listening Skills through puppets: Useful tips: 
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Design a dialogue between two puppets that matches the language skills you are trying to teach, 
using any kind of puppet from simple sock puppets to plush dolls. Choose a topic that is of 
interest to your group, such as animals or sports.
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Memorize or familiarize yourself with the dialogue and present this to the class, letting the 
puppets develop a personality (Preece, ibid). 
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Check for understanding by asking open-ended questions of the children. You can ask questions 
as the teacher or as the puppet. 
Exploring Speaking Skills: Useful tips: 

Put students in groups of two to four and have them design a short puppet play with each person 
using one puppet.

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Present young learners with a topic or let them choose their own and explain that they are to 
use the language skills they are learning when creating their dialogue. Ask them to write down 
specific script for each puppet character to say. 
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Allow class time for puppet creation, if possible 
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Keep the dialogues for young learners simple and plan when and how to use puppets in class. 
When planning a lesson think of language opportunities to use puppets.  
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Use puppets to model effective practice and find out how to create a positive atmosphere in 
class.  
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Puppets should be polite and friendly with young learners. They should support young learners, 
praise them when they are trying to be involved in the learning procedure and show their 
disappointment when children make a noise in class.  

Young learners love talking to puppets, so introduce activities that promote children’s 
perspective and involvement.  
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Use various props in class when using puppets and explain young learners about them. For 
example, their favourite puppet is cold today, so you can bring a cloth and cover it or ask young 
learners what to do to keep it warm etc.  
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Teachers can assist young learners produce puppets in class by using simple materials such as 
socks, pieces of colorful clothes, scissors, paper, colours, pictures, cards etc. 

Present these student-created puppet plays in class, letting each group perform for their peers.