LLFE-T04 Β· Drilling Done Right β Choral and Individual Drilling
ποΈ Drilling Done Right
β± 5 minutes Β· π CELTA methodology Β· π« Micro-lesson
π From the teacher’s desk: In my CELTA observed lessons in Landerneau, drilling was the technique I had the most physical resistance to. It felt mechanical β almost old-fashioned. But watching it done well by an experienced trainer, I realised it’s not about mechanical repetition. Done correctly, drilling is a safe, low-stakes space for learners to practise pronunciation before the pressure of real communication.
π― By the end of this micro-lesson, you can: conduct choral and individual drills correctly, efficiently, and communicatively.
π₯ Why Drill? (1 min)
Drilling helps learners:
β
Get the pronunciation right before they produce freely
β
Build muscle memory for sounds and word stress
β
Feel the rhythm and connected speech of English
It is NOT about mindless repetition. It’s about accurate preparation for fluent use.
π Drill Types and Technique (2 min)
Whole class repeats together. Safe, low-anxiety. Use first to establish pronunciation. Teacher models β students repeat.
One student repeats. Use after choral to check individual accuracy. Nominate without embarrassing.
The CELTA drilling sequence:
- Model clearly (say it yourself, naturally)
- Mark stress / chunk the phrase if needed
- Choral drill (2β3 times)
- Individual drill (3β4 students)
- Choral again if problems appeared
βοΈ Practice (2 min)
Plan a drilling sequence for this sentence:
“She’s been working here since January.”
1. Where is the main stress?
2. Are there any weak forms / contractions to highlight?
3. Write your choral drill instruction (what do you say to the class?)
ποΈ Answer Key
- Main stress: WORKing and JANuary
- Weak forms: “She’s” /ΚΙͺz/, “since” /sΙͺns/ β unstressed. The contraction “She’s” = “She has.”
- “Listen: She’s been working here since January. Everyone together: She’s been working here since January.“
Cambridge CELTA course completed β 120 supervised teaching hours, 4 written assignments passed at the required standard.
Independent project; not affiliated with, endorsed by, or accredited by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Confers no qualification.
βοΈ Questions? sourovdeb.com
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