Come cline with me

Come Cline with MeJonathan Ingham, IH Palermo

Clines in Language Teaching

The British Council Teaching English website defines a cline as:

‘a s _ _ _ _ of language i _ _ _ s that goes from one e _ _ _ _ _ _ to another. For example,from p _ _ _ _ _ _ _ to n _ _ _ _ _ _ _, or from w _ _ _ to s _ _ _ _ _’.

What is a cline?

The British Council Teaching English website defines a cline as:

‘a s c a l e of language i t e m s that goes from one e x t r e m e to another. For example,from p o s i t i v e to n e g a t i v e, or from w e a k to s t r o n g’.

What is a cline?

An example

An example

Why are clines useful?

Conveying and clarifying language.A visual representation of meaning.Highlighting shades of meaning.They provide students with a good record of language to take home.They are efficient and can cut down on teacher talking time.

So what can we use them for?

Vocabulary (Lexical items)WordsExpressionsIdiomatic phrases

Grammar

Adjectives - temperature

Adjectives - temperature

Expressing likes and dislikes

Expressing likes and dislikes

Modals of deduction

Modals of deduction

Hungry?

Hungry?

An ideas for using clines in class.

Draw the skeleton cline on the board.Give students the expressions on cards.Students stick them where they think they go on the cline (bluetack on back of cards).Students take a step back and work together to discuss and agree on the positioning.T clarifies and puts them in the correct place.Follow up practice.

Thank you!