Giáo án Skills 2

Ss activate prior knowledge about online learning and get ready for the listening and writing topic of Skills 2.

Ss work in pairs and answer three questions on the board:

• How do you usually study at home?
• What is one thing you like about learning online?
• What is one thing that is difficult when you learn online?
  Then T introduces the listening strategy: before listening, predict the type of answer (person, time, place or reason).

Each pair shares one advantage and one difficulty of online learning. Ss understand that predicting the answer type (person, time, place or reason) helps them listen more effectively.

Ss understand the meaning, pronunciation and use of six target words in context.

T presents the words greet (chào hỏi), habit (thói quen), independent (tự lập), punctual (đúng giờ), lifestyle (lối sống) and interaction (sự tương tác) with their example sentences:

• People greet guests in different ways.
• A regular bedtime is a useful habit.
• Teenagers gradually become independent.
• Please be punctual for the meeting.
• A lifestyle includes daily choices.
• Face-to-face interaction can build trust.
  Ss then match each word with a Vietnamese meaning, read the words aloud and make one sentence about their own study habits.

Ss complete the matching: greet = chào hỏi; habit = thói quen; independent = tự lập; punctual = đúng giờ; lifestyle = lối sống; interaction = sự tương tác. Each S writes one personal sentence using at least one target word, for example: 'Online learning helps me become more independent.'

Ss apply the listening strategy to identify the main idea first and then specific details in the original unit recording.

Step 1: Ss look at the four questions in Worksheet 1 and predict the answer type for each question.
Step 2: Ss listen once for the gist and say what the speakers are discussing.
Step 3: Ss listen again for details and fill in the answers.
Worksheet 1 contains:

1. Who likes replaying an explanation?
2. What makes concentrating difficult for Linh?
3. Does one method suit every learner? (True / False)
4. What can students request if the connection is weak?
   Ss answer with a word or short phrase, not a full sentence.

Gist: the recording discusses how students learn online and that learners differ in their needs.
Answers:

1. Nam
2. a noisy house
3. False (the recording states that this claim is false)
4. printed notes

Ss understand how to organise a paragraph about the advantages OR disadvantages of online learning using the correct genre.

T presents the writing workshop with three points:

• Choose one side (advantages OR disadvantages).
• Develop two reasons, each with a concrete example.
• Acknowledge that access and individual needs differ.
  T reads the original model aloud and asks Ss to highlight the topic sentence, the two reasons (First, Second), the examples and the acknowledgement sentence (However, ...). Ss also note that the model says: 'Plan your own response; do not memorise the model.'

Ss identify the structure of the model:

• Topic sentence: Online learning has several advantages for my study routine.
• Reason 1 + example: First, I can review a recorded explanation... I pause it, make notes...
• Reason 2 + example: Second, an online folder keeps worksheets in one place...
• Acknowledgement: However, these benefits depend on a reliable connection and suitable equipment.
• Closing sentence: Online learning is useful for me when it supports, rather than replaces, careful practice.

Ss consolidate listening skills by checking answers and explaining their reasoning with evidence from the recording.

Ss use the NeoEdu interactive exercises or Worksheet 1 to check their answers to Exercises 1–4. Then Ss work in pairs: one S asks a question from the list, and the other S answers with a word or short phrase and explains where the answer comes from in the recording.
Example: 'What can students request if the connection is weak?' – 'Printed notes.'

Answer key for Exercises 1–4:

1. Nam (The recording states: Nam.)
2. a noisy house (The recording states: a noisy house.)
3. False (The recording states that this claim is false.)
4. printed notes (The recording states: printed notes.)

Ss identify the purpose, genre features and useful topic expressions in a model paragraph.

Ss read the original model and complete Worksheet 2, Part A:

• Purpose of the paragraph:
• Two genre features:
• Two useful topic expressions:
  The model paragraph is the one in the writing workshop.

Suggested answers (human assessment, accept well-supported ideas):

• Purpose: to give and support an opinion about the advantages of online learning.
• Two genre features: a clear topic sentence (Online learning has several advantages...); linking words to order reasons (First, Second) and to introduce a limitation (However).
• Two useful topic expressions: a recorded explanation; a reliable connection / suitable equipment.

Ss plan, write and revise an 80–100-word response about the advantages OR disadvantages of online learning, using the correct genre and original details.

Step 1: Ss choose one side (advantages OR disadvantages) and complete the plan in Worksheet 2, Part B.
Step 2: Ss write 80–100 words, with one topic sentence, two reasons, each with a concrete example, and one sentence acknowledging that access and individual needs differ.
Step 3: Ss exchange their paragraphs with a partner and use the rubric to give feedback.
Step 4: Ss revise one original sentence and explain the change.
Homework: Ss finish the revised paragraph at home (80–100 words) and bring it to the next class.

A complete plan and a paragraph of 80–100 words. Rubric (10 points): fulfil the task with accurate relevant details (4); follow the genre and coherent organisation (2); suitable vocabulary and grammar (3); spelling and punctuation (1).
A revision example: replace the weak sentence 'It is good.' with 'Online folders help me find worksheets quickly, so I save time before each lesson.' Explain that the new sentence gives a specific benefit and an example.