Identifying lesson aims

This is the aim a teacher has when s/he describes what s/he would like to improve in her/his teaching, e.g. to reduce the time I spend writing on the whiteboard

• Main aim

• Personal aim

• Subsidiary aim

A step or short section of a lesson plan

• Grid

• Stage

• Part

• Aim

This is the aim teachers have when they want learners to use the correct forms of grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. In this type of activity, teachers and students typically focus on using and producing language correctly.

• Fluency

• Phonology

• Accuracy

• Lexis

This is the aim teachers have when they want learners to use connected speech, to speak at a natural speed without hesitation, repetition or self-correction. When communication is more important than being correct, the aim of the activity would be this.

• Fluency

• Phonology

• Accuracy

• Lexis

This is a less important aim of a lesson. It could be the language or skills students must be able to use in order to achieve the principal aim of the lesson, or a skill or language area which is practised while focusing on the principal aim.

• Main aim

• Personal aim

• Subsidiary aim

The most important aim, e.g. to teach the present perfect or to develop listening skills

• Main aim

• Personal aim

• Subsidiary aim