ELT365 · Day 164 — The Lead-In: Activating Schema Before the Text

Idea — A lead-in activates learners’ prior knowledge before they encounter the text. It does not preview the content — it warms the relevant schema so processing is faster.

Example — Before a listening about job interviews, ask: “What questions do employers often ask?” Learners recall the topic, set expectations, and listen with purpose.

Try — For your next receptive-skills lesson, design a 3-minute lead-in — one question or image only. No text, no spoilers. Check it activates rather than reveals.

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