ELT365 · Day 235 — Using the Board Effectively
Idea
The board is a shared, permanent record of the lesson. A clear, organised board plan — written before the lesson — prevents mid-lesson confusion and supports visual learners.
Example
Divide the board into three columns: vocabulary (left), target language (centre), student output (right). Stick to the zones throughout.
Try
Sketch your board plan for your next lesson before you walk into the room.
From my training materials
When I look back at my CELTA training file, one page stands out for its clarity in using the board as a shared record. It is from a foreign language lesson input document where the teacher had to teach Welsh using only symbols, mime, and drills. The board work is strikingly simple yet highly effective. It displays phonemic symbols mapped directly to Welsh words, creating a permanent visual reference that students could rely on throughout the lesson.
The document shows a clear structure using a plus, minus, and question paradigm. It lists phrases like “+ Rydw i’n hoffi (caws)” next to “- Dydw i ddim yn hoffi (ysgewyll),” with a question form in between. This layout prevented mid-lesson confusion by organizing the target language into distinct zones. It demonstrates that a well-organised board plan, written before the lesson, supports visual learners and helps maintain focus. I find this a strong reminder to always prepare my board plan in advance, ensuring that every piece of information is placed where it needs to be for clarity.
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