Language Functions in the Lecture Room

Activities associated with the learning outcomes of lectures according to Bloom's Taxonomy.

Taxonomy


A: Lesson Content


Presentation

  1. listing facts and figures
  2. naming parts, components and attributes
  3. labelling constituent parts of an event
  4. stating causes and effects
  5. drawing attention to the effects of changes
  6. reminding students of significant items

Giving an Explanation

  1. identifying causes and effects
  2. describing possible events and outcomes
  3. explaining phenomena
  4. comparing
  5. contrasting
  6. giving examples
  7. classifying facts and attributes
  8. demonstrating principles

The Teaching of Skills

  1. teaching students to perform actions
  2. teaching students to use implements or devices
  3. teaching students to manipulate objects
  4. monitoring or assessing the performance of devices
  5. speaking about adjusting student performance
  6. asking students to demonstrate a newly acquired skill

The Process of Evaluation

  1. analysing results or data
  2. discriminating between different results or data types
  3. asking students to criticise aspects of (their) peformance
  4. using particular results or data to infer general principles
  5. drawing conclusions from observed behaviour

Reaching a Synthesis

  1. explaining how different data combine
  2. discussing possible outcomes of events or actions
  3. arguing in favour of certain courses of action
  4. explaining how knowledge derives from results
  5. deconstructing a theory in the light of contrary evidence
  6. designing experiments or objects to test theories


Evaluating the Learning process

  1. reinforcing a point of view or highlighting evidence
  2. attacking a point of view or questioning evidence
  3. defending a point of view
  4. appraising the value of evidence
  5. judging the value of an experiment
  6. justifying a course of action
  7. clarifying a point of view which is poorly understood


B: Lesson management

The Introduction Phase

  1. greetings
  2. arousing interest and attention
  3. setting out the objectives of the lesson and its significance
  4. testing recall of previous lessons

The Central Section

  1. stating facts and ideas in sequence and relationship
  2. illustrating by practical example
  3. demonstrating through working models
  4. discovering underlying principles
  5. developing facts and ideas
  6. teaching practical applications of principles
  7. testing and assessing learning input

The Conclusion

  1. consolidating learned facts and ideas
  2. reinforcing assimilation and retention
  3. summarizing
  4. revising
  5. linking with the next lesson
  6. setting of homework
  7. announcing the next lesson


Part 1: Presentation

listing facts and figures
The (first) (most important) (fact)(thing) to (notice) (consider) about x is (its) (the) (size)(shape)(weight)
(Initially) (On first inspection). x (appears)(seems) to be (similar) (different) to y
(First of all) we must (accept) (consider) that x (is) (is not) a (function) (result) of y
The second factor to take into consideration..... is that x is (similar to)(different from) y
Next we should (remember) (bear in mind) that x is (dependent on) (independent of) y
Subsequently. x will (decline) (reduce) as y (increases) (grows)
Finally x will disappear and only y will remain
Last but not least...... the preservation of x is a result of a correct maintenance of y

naming parts, components and attributes
This (part)(bit)(action) is called (a) (an) (x) ( x-ing) or (sometimes) a (z)(z-ing)
We call this (section) (phenomenon) (activity)
This (part) (activity) is called
(a) (an) x x-ing
What we are seeing here is an example of a/an x x-ing
The name given to this (part) (effect) is (a) (an) x x-ing
This (part) (object) (device) is known as (a) (an) x
This (part) (reaction) is referred to as (a) (an) x x-ing  

labelling constituent parts of an event or process
We call this (first) ( middle) ( last) action/event x
At the
In the
At the
(beginning) (top) (start)
(middle) (centre)
(bottom) (end)
we find x
(At first)
(Later)
(Finally)
X (often) (usually) (occurs) (happens)
(No 1) (A:) we (shall) call x or x-ing (No 2)(B:) we (shall) call y or y-ing
The first phase of the manoeuvre is (called) (referred to as) x-ing the second part is (called) (termed) y-ing
The front part is called (an) (the) x while the back part is called
is referred to as
(an) (the) y

stating causes and effects
X (happens) (occurs) (takes place) (and) (so) (therefore) y (naturally) follows
When x takes place y y-ing normally results
If xor x-ing is present y (usually) (often) happens as a consequence
X is a direct (result) (consequence) of y in most cases
When x is present y naturally follows
xor x-ing causes y or y-ing to occur
X causes y
X leads to y
X or X-ing exists so y or y-ing results
If you (do ) X you must expect Y as a result
What usually (happens) (occurs) (when) (after) (you (do) X) is Y (that Y takes place)
If you x (do x) you (must) (should) expect y (y-ing) to occur
The most (probable) (likely) cause of x is y  


drawing attention to the effects of changes
You will notice that x (has)(has been) (changed) (altered) by the effects of y
Note the (changes)(alterations) to x as a result of y  
X has had (an influence) (an effect) on y (and also on z) (and on z as well) (on both y and z)
The effect on x is (less) (greater) than on y
X has decreased and as a result y (has increased) (is stronger)
(is more marked)
X is much (stronger) (faster) than y and z or z-ing occurs as a result
Following (an) (the) increase in x y has (declined) (also increased)
What x leads to is a reversal of z
What x brings about is a resurgence of z
This resurgence of x is brought about by the reversal of z
Notice how (the way in which) the changes in x have affected y


reminding students of significant items
You will remember that I stressed how important x was in this equation
I don' t have to remind you how important x is in this process
I come back again to the importance of x in this instance
Never underestimate the vital importance of x
Let me stress once more the significance of x-ing
I cannot repeat often enough the importance of (doing) (not doing ) x or y
Don't forget to (check) (test) (verify) x


Part 2 Giving an Explanation

identifying causes and effects
The particular item responsible for x is y
What causes x to behave this way is y
X acts this way because it is influenced by y
X will behave in this fashion as a direct result of y's influence
If x reacts in this way there is only one explanation. y!
If x (reacts) (behaves) in this (way) (fashion) the (probable) (likely) cause is y
The probable cause of x is y
This (probably) means that x (has influenced) (has been influenced by) y


describing possible events and outcomes
As you can see (from the diagram) x will (control) the level of y
What this graph shows is how x will affect y
What this (table) (diagram) shows is to what extent y will be influenced by x
This example (shows us) (illustrates) what will happen if x (exceeds) (is less than) y
The situation shown here is a direct result of y or y-ing
The usual result of x will be an increase in y
As x (increases) (decreases) so should y
Any (decrease) (increase) in x will lead to a corresponding (decrease)(increase) in y


explaining phenomena
What is happening in here is that x is suppressing y
In this particular case x is causing y to overheat
X 's (temperature) (pressure) is rising due to y being too (high) (low)
This is a good example of how x can lead to y
What you are seeing here is the result of a combination of x and y
When x happens you know that y has happened
This is a case of x probably caused by y
It looks as if x (has caused) (has been caused by) y  
         


comparing
In this case (x) is (greater)(smaller)(heavier)(more serious) than y in the (case) (example) we (examined) (tested) earlier
The phenomenon of (x) in this case is (comparable to) (similar to) (identical to) that of y (seen) (which we observed) earlier
This is another (case of) (example of ) (x) (x-ing)
There is a parallel between x in this case and y in previous examples
X is (the problem) (at fault) here in other words x has caused the damage
To say that x has failed to work is the same as saying that x is badly designed
(An) X can be very expensive to maintain. Similarly, (a) y can incur extra expense due to poor reliability
To say that x is unreliable is not the same as saying that it is poorly designed
We cannot equate this phenomen with others


contrasting
Unlike x y can easily be fitted in reverse
X, (as opposed to y,)

( in total contrast to y,)
cannot be fitted the wrong way round
X is not an expensive item which is not the same as saying that it is not reliable
There is no similarity between the operation of x and the operation of y
In complete contrast to x, y will not (give a result) (function) if (operated)(fitted) in reverse
There is no comparison between x in this case and (y) (x in other cases)
There is a vast difference between (x) (x-ing) and (y) (y-ing)
Do not confuse (x in this case) (this phenomen) with (y) (x in the other case) (the other phenomonen


giving examples
X and y for example do not require z or z-ing
This is a good example of (x)(x-ing) (what we call (y) (y-ing))
For instance, x is not usually subject to y
X sometimes requires y to function properly as in the following example
Here is another example of x in action
X is a reliable product. This is exemplified by the low failure rate in service
Let me give you an illustration of how x works in practice
The following examples will help to illustrate my point about x
(X) is another instance of (y) in action


classifing facts and attributes
This particular effect comes under the heading of x
This is best described as an example of x rather than y
I would place this within the category of x
It's difficult to categorise this reaction other than by saying it is extremely rare
This strikes me as being an example of x rather than y
Here (This) is a good example of x (x-ing)
This is definitely a case of x (x-ing)


demonstrating principles
I can show you how x works in the following diagram
This figure will show you the workings of x
Here is an example of (how) (why) (the manner in which) x reacts
Let me demonstrate why x reacts as it does
What this demonstrates is that x is closely related to y
This demonstration proves conclusively that x is not dependant on y
This is proof of the (existance) (absence) of x


Part 3: The Teaching of Skills

Teaching to perform actions
The way to do x is as follows
(X) (X-ing) must be carried out in the following manner

way
The correct way to do x is as follows
Make sure you do x like this (and not like this)
Don't (x) (do x) like this
There are several ways to do x. This is the one I recommend.
I (do not) recommend that you do x like this
Watch me carefully as I (x.) (do x.) Now you try it for yourself.
I'd like to show you the correct way to (x) (do x) (perform (an) x) (carry out (an) x)

Teaching to use implements or devices
Switch on the instrument by rotating the knob clockwise
Read the scale by lining it up with x
First open x and then read y from the scale
(Before) (After) (adjusting) (setting) the (position) (level) of x the (position) (level) of y (must be) (should be) noted
Always check x before starting y
Never start x without first checking y
The only correct method of using (x) (an x) is (as follows)
(like this)
This (instrument) (device) (is) (should be ) used in the following (manner)(way)

Teaching students to manipulate objects
Pull back on the stick to raise the nose of the aeroplane
Move the handle until x reaches position y
Lift x and when you (hear) (see) (feel) y do z
Turn x (all the way)
(¾ of a rotation)
and note the reading
Be careful not to (push)(advance)(rotate) x (past)(beyond) (a) (the) (red line) (safe limit)
Ease x (forwards) (backwards) until you (hear) (feel) a click


monitoring or assessing the performance of devices
If you are not (happy) (satisfied) with x you can always adjust y
Once you are happy with the state of x you can proceed with y
Check how x is performing before making changes to y
If you are not sure of x do not proceed with y
Decide whether it is worth proceeding with y by noting x
Ask yourself if x is satisfactory before going ahead with y
Remember that a low value of x will result in a low value of y
Keep (an) (your) eye on the (temperature) (pressure ) of x

speaking about adjusting performance
You can always decide to alter the rate of x later if required
Decide if you need to make any adjustments to x  
Make adjustments to x in (response to) (the light of (changes in) y)
Adjust the level of x as required by y
Increase or decrease x as y increases
Do not (stop) (continue) x-ing (if) (unless) the value of y (changes)(increases)

(remains constant)
Only adjust x if you are sure that y is safe
X should be held steady unless y (changes) (is altered)


asking students to demonstrate a newly acquired skill
I'd like you to show me how you carry out an x  
Let me see you (doing (an) x) (x-ing)
Can you give me a demonstration of (x) (x-ing)
I'd like to see how well you can (x) (do (an) x)
What is the correct method of (x-ing) (doing x)? Show me how you would do it.

Can you demonstrate it?
Would you like to (x) (do an x) (some x-ing) for me?
How would you do (x) (an x)?
(Could you) Show me what an (x ) involves


Part 4: Evaluating the Learning process

analysing results or data
What does this ( suggest to you)( teach you) about x ?
How does this (prove)(disprove)(demonstrate) (the value)(the accuracy)(the importance) of (x) (x-ing) ?
Does this suggest anything to you about x ?
Are you still ( convinced)(sure)that (x) (x-ing) (is) (would be ) (a good idea)(feasible) ?
Is there any way , in your view, that x (can be) (improved)
Can you think of any method by which x (can be) (could be) (increased) (diminshed)?
This is not the whole story is it? Can you think of other things that we might (investigate) (try)?
Is there anything else about x that we need to consider?

discriminating between different results or data types
Which of these methods (do you think)(do you feel) is safer (safest)
is (more) appropriate
in this case?
Can you see any reason to avoid x?
Do you have any preference for x over y?
Does x strike you as (reasonable)(appropriate)(acceptable) in this case?


asking students to criticise aspects of their performance
Can you see any reason why x was (inadequate) (inappropriate)
(the wrong decision)
in this (case) (instance)?
Don't you think that x would have been better than y in this case?
In what way do you think x could have been (better)(improved) ?
Do you have any (ideas) (suggestions) for improving x in the future?
Have you got any thoughts on how to improve (the) (your) (performance) (results) next time?
Were you entirely happy with (how) (the way) x went today?


using particular results or data to infer general principles
What does this incident tell you about the performance of x?
In the light of x today what lessons have you learnt?
Let's see if we can draw any

(conclusions

(lessons

(pointers

from the performance of x today.
Will you do x differently (in future

(next time
in view of your experience today?
What does x teach us about y in general?


drawing conclusions from observed behaviour
Why do you think the aircraft failed to climb in this instance?  
x ( happened

( failed to happen.
What (conclusions

( inference
do you draw from that?
How should we interpret what happened during x today?
Let's review the outcome of x to see if any lessons can be learnt.
What has x taught us about the general application of y?


Part 5 : Reaching a Synthesis

explaining how different data combine
What, in your opinion, is the connection between x and y?
What can you conclude from an examination of x and y?
When you look at the data concerning x and y does this give you any clue to their origin?
Putting x and y together do you see any relationship/

connection
between them?
Do you think that x and y might be linked in any way
Do you see any connection between x and y?
Is there any link between x and y?
Are x and y linked in any way in your opinion?


discuss possible outcomes of events or actions
How do you think x might affect y?
Do you see x having an influence on y?
What impact, if any, might x have on y?
What will the long term effects of x be on y?
Should we take x into consideration when discussing y
To what extent should we consider x when calculating y?

arguing in favour of certain courses of action
I think this is the right approach to take when considering x
I think you'll find x (will give better results

(will work better
than y
In the case of x then (you should

(you might
(consider

(think about
y
x is almost certainly the best way to proceed in the event of y
If x happens you should definitely try y
If I were you I wouldn't do x


explaining how knowledge derives from results
If we (examine) (look again at) the (results) (outcome) we can see what went wrong
It is obvious from (the results

(today's experience
that (certain changes

(more training
(must be made

(is needed
What this tells us is that a different approach is required
On the basis of today's experience we can say that no further action is necessary
If we look at the (data

(figures
we can (see (discern certain trends.

deconstructing a theory in the light of contrary evidence
If these results are accurate it means we have (underestimated

(miscalculated

(misjudged
x by y amount

What this (shows us

(tells us

(indicates to us

is that we must (revise our plans.

(update our estimates.
In the light of x we should

(consider

(plan for

(expect to

(reworking our plan

(an overhaul of our plan

(reschedule our ETA

Contrary to our original (expectation

(belief

(estimate

x will now be y

In contrast to what we (thought

(said

(calculated

earlier x will now be y

designing experiments or objects to test theories
This is a test that I have devised to (check) (estimate) the value of x
This test will show us whether x

is (correct

(valid

(accurate

or not
In order to (determine the accuracy of x

(test
we should do y
X is a good indicator of how accurate y is

will be
A good method of checking x is to do y



Part 6 Carrying out Evaluations

reinforcing a point of view or highlighting evidence
I think that the results prove my point because.........    
This seems to support what I

(was saying

(said

(predicted

earlier
X seems to bear out what I was predicting
I think this proves conclusively the accuracy of my predictions about x
I go along with what you say (about

(concerning
the effects of x on y
I agree with your assessment of the outcome of y

attacking a point of view or questioning evidence
I believe that you have made a mistake in the figures.  
I feel that you have overlooked important details of x
I am not convinced that your assessment of x is correct
I'm afraid that your interpretation of x

(is flawed

(inaccurate

(incorrect

This doesn't seem to me to be

an (accurate

(safe

(sensible

(conclusion to reach

(route to take

(thing to do


defending a point of view
Despite you misgivings I still feel that x is the right course of action

I understand your (concern but

(worries

(reticence

I am still convinced that x

(is the best way to proceed

(is the best course of action
I can see why you are unsure of x but I still feel it is (our best bet

(the lesser of two evils
I am convinced that x is (the best thing to do

( the best course of action
in the circumstances
I understand your reluctance to try x but I assure you

that it will (work

(succeed

( produce results


appraising the value of evidence
How does x help us to (assess)(understand)(improve) y?  
Will x help us to build on our experience of y?
How valuable an experience has x been in terms of y?
Is there anything of value that we can (draw from x

(conclude
which might help us with y?
Where does x leave us in terms of understanding y?

judging the value of an experiment
I think that we can regard that as a (successful)(useful)

(informative)
exercise.  
I feel we have learned a lot from (what we have done)
(our activities)
today.
This has not really helped us (very much)(greatly we need to try something different.
All in all this has been (a successful)
(an unsuccessful)
outcome.

justifying a course of action
I believe we were right to do what we did in the circumstances.
You had no choice but to act the way you did given the circumstances.
In your place I would have done exactly the same.
The conditions at the time left us no other choice
I feel that, all things considered, the action you took was (justified

(appropriate


clarifying a point of view which is poorly understood
Perhaps I should explain myself more clearly so that there is no ambiguity
Perhaps I haven't explained x clearly enough. Let me try again.
I want to be sure that you have got this right

understood me
I need to be satisfied that you have

grasped

understood

taken on board

my point correctly
Let me go over x again for the sake of clarity


Main Functional Components of a Lesson

The Introduction:




Greetings
Example :Good day, (Good morning, Good afternoon, Good evening) gentlemen (ladies and gentlemen) (everybody). I hope you are feeling relaxed after the weekend. I see that you are all looking keen and excited at the prospect of some new facts, information ......... It's nice to see you all looking so enthusiastic this morning.....
Let's (begin) (start) by (reviewing)(recalling) some of the items from (last time) (our last lesson)
Shall we (begin) (start) by looking at some (facts) (figures) from our last session
May we get started on (an) (the) examination of x
Shall we make a start on studying x
Can I commence with a (brief) (short) (summary)

(run through)
of (the main points of) our last lesson


Arousing interest and attention
I think you will find this topic of interest to you
I am sure today's subject will appeal to you


Setting out the objective of the lesson and its significance
The point of the lesson is to show you x, y and z  
The aim of this session is to introduce you to x, y and z
The content deals with x and y which is relevant to part of z
This module covers the subject of x and y and is linked with z


Testing recall of previous lessons

example

    (Teacher speaks)
    Yesterday we discussed the problems of icing. Would one of you care to summarise briefly the different types of icing that we discussed?

    (Student responds)..............................

    (Teacher speaks)

    Thank you. What does this mean therefore for the pilot who is flying in icing conditions?

    (Student responds)...............................

    (Teacher speaks)

    That is correct. Now we shall go on to talk about the question of prevention of icing and examine some of the techniques which are employed on modern aircraft.

Let me begin by asking you to recall some of the items from last time
Shall we start looking again at some of the facts we discussed in our last session




2. The Central Section

The main body of the lesson usually consists of the presentation of a sequence of information which co-ordinates with what has been previously learned and springs logically from it.

The sequence of the presentation needs to be logical and clearly identified.

It normally consists of the following types of language function:

stating facts and ideas in sequence and relationship
Let me begin by telling you something about x and y  
First of all... I'd like to show you some examples of x
To begin with let's examine some facts concerning x
Let's begin by looking at the question of x and later we'll have a look at y
Let's look for a start at the subject of x
Now let's move on to the question of x
Next we'll deal with x
Moving on now to x


illustrating by practical example
(This)(Here) is a typical example of y    
Here is a diagram to illustrate what is meant by x
Let's look at x which is a typical application of the principle of y
Let me show you an a practical example of what I mean by x
The following example will illustrate how x works


demonstrating through working models
X works in the following (way) (manner) (style)
The way x works is as follows........
X works as follows.......
I'll switch x on so that we can see it working
This is a demonstration of the method of operation of x
The following is a demonstration of how x works


discovering underlying principles
What does x tell us about y?
What conclusion can we draw from x concerning y?
How does x help us to understand y?
This demonstration proves something about y What?
How does x affect our understanding of y?


developing facts and ideas
We have seen the basic principle at work now let us look at the concept in more detail
Based on what we have just seen can we predict what might happen next?
Moving on from this simple example let's examine some more complex examples
If we take this example a little further.....
If we extrapolate these figures..........


teaching practical applications of principles
Looking at some practical applications.      
If we apply this to a real life situation
If we imagine a practical scenario for a moment
Let's now look at an example of this principle in action.
Let's see how this would work in practice.


testing and assessing learning input
Let's check to see how much we have understood (of)(about) x so far
At this point it might be appropriate to check your understanding of the main points
Let me just ask you a few questions to test your understanding


3. The Conclusion

A conclusion provides a final opportunity of providing consolidation or reinforcing what has been learnt .


consolidating learned facts and ideas
Finally, can we review what we have been discussing in this lesson?  
Let's finish this session by reminding ourselves of what we have seen so far
I'd like to conclude by going over once again the main points of this session
So what have we learnt today?
Let me conclude with a brief review of today's topic


reinforcing assimilation and retention
Can you recall what we discussed today?    
Can you give us a brief summary of today's topic?
What have been the main ideas discussed today?
What new ideas have we covered in this session?


summarizing
So, to briefly sum up, what we have discussed.

what we have been discussing.
   
I'd like, briefly, once again, to go over the main points of today's lesson.
I'd like to take a moment to draw together the main ideas discussed so far
Can we just run through some of the principle ideas again before we finish?
Briefly, the main points of the lesson again.


revising
I'd like to spend some time going over what we have learnt so far.
I want to spend some time over the next few sessions making sure that you understand fully the content.
I would like you to spend some time reviewing the content of the last n lessons.


linking with the next lesson
Today, we have looked at the problem of x. Next time I'd like to move on to y
I'll carry on next time with the question of x
During the next session I'd like to move on to x
I'll come back to the topic of x in the next session
Today we have been learning something about x This will lead us in the next lesson

to a discussion of y
The next few sessions will see us examining the question of y

will lead us to examine the subject of y


setting of homework
I would like you to read the following chapters before the next session.
I 'd like you to read through these work sheets before the next lesson and complete the tasks.
I've given you some worksheets and I'd like you to work through these before the next session.
I'd be grateful if you could complete the exercises I've given you before the next session


announcing the next lesson
We'll meet again on Friday at 2 o'clock  
According to our timetable our next session is on Friday at 2 o'clock
I'm due to see you again next Tuesday afternoon at three.
I'll be seeing you again on Tuesday at three.
Thank you very much. I'll see you again on Tuesday afternoon.
I won't be seeing you again until a week on Friday. Meanwhile enjoy your holiday.