Bilingualism

~ refers to the use of two languages by an individual or a speech community. There are various types of ~. In the case of additive ~, a speaker adds a second language without any loss of competence to the first language. This can lead to balanced ~. In the case of subtractive ~, the addition of a second language leads to gradual erosion of competence in the first language. Simply put, ~ means being able to communicate effectively in two or more languages, with more or less the same degree of proficiency.

Board game

A game played by two or more players on a board using dice. Players throw the dice and move around squares on the board. By writing different instructions in the squares, teacherscan use board games for controlled language practice or oral fluency, e.g. when a learner lands on a square, they say a daily routine using the present simple.

Body language

The gestures and mannerisms by which a person communicates with others.

Book

An activity book or workbook contains extra practice activities and is often used for homework. It usually accompanies a coursebook. A coursebook or textbook is used regularly by learners in the class. It generally contains grammar, vocabulary and skills work and follows a syllabus. A coursebook unit is a chapter of a coursebook. A teacher’s book accompanies the coursebook, and contains teaching ideas, audio scripts and answers to coursebook activities.

Brainstorm (v.)

To think of ideas (usually quickly) about a topic (often noting these down). This is often done as preparation before writing or speaking activity.

Brainstorming

Generating lots of ideas from many individuals.

C

CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning)

An approach to language teaching and learning which uses computer technology.

Caretaker talk

When adults (or older children) address young children, they typically modify their speech. These modifications are both formal (e.g. the use of higher pitch or simple noun phrases) and interactional (e.g. the use of expansions).