Setting Our Goals!

On previous posts, I have been exploring the different elements that form part of the new English curriculum. Today, I want to share the importance of the goals in the new English curriculum and how they are structured. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines goal as "the end toward which effort is directed" and therefore, there is an end in our class toward which we should direct our efforts.

We need to remember that the new syllabus is aimed at developing linguistic competence in our students. Whereas in I and II Cycles, this competence is more focused in the socio-interpersonal domain (which means that students will learn different ways to interact with one another), in III Cycle it is focused on strengthening the previous domain and developing the competence in the socio-transactional domain (getting things done). Furthermore, Diversified Education will be working a little on the academic domain (all the competence required to be successful in the academic field).

However, this cannot be done if we teachers do not have a clear idea of the goals that we want to achieve in the teaching process. At this point, we need to remember that the new curriculum is based on developing competence for oral and written comprehension (listening and reading) and oral and written production (speaking and writing) since first grade.

The following chart shows how the different goals are divided into the new English syllabus:

Linguistic Competence Areas and Symbols

Oral and written comprehension L. Listening

R. Reading

R.P.A Reading: Phonemic awareness

Oral and written production S.I Spoken Interaction

S.P Spoken Production

W. Writing

Whenever we decide to create activities in our classes, the first step is to look at the goal and be clear of what the task will be aimed at developing. Therefore, we cannot create a task in which students will be producing orally if the goal for that lesson is related to listening.

One more aspect to bear in mind is that while our week will be focused only on one scenario, each lesson will be focused on a different goal. That way, our students will be able to develop competence in all areas of the language and will not only develop knowledge about vocabulary.

So, whenever we sit down to plan for the month, to look for activities, or to develop materials: May the goals be with us!

#KeyConcepts