Guiding the learning of students

—Vocabulary

Individual development of each student – индивидуальное развитие каждого учащегося

to solve prob­lems by themselves – решать проблемы самим

to assist learning – содействие обучению

a tape recording – магнитофонная запись

a filmstrip – диафильм

to master – одолевать, справляться

poorer sec­tions – малоимущие районы

basic communication and study skills – основные навыки обучения и общения

an inner-city school – школа в центральной части большого города, часто густо населенного, бедного, с высоким процентом преступности

differing needs and abilities of individual students – различие в потребностях и способностях каждого учащегося.

Most teachers use a variety of methods to guide their students’ learning. For example, they sometimes guide students indi­vidually and sometimes as a group. But even when deal­ing with students as a group, a good teacher's basic concern is the individual development of each student. Many teachers believe that students should be given only enough guidance to help them learn to solve prob­lems by themselves.

Teachers have long depended on textbooks to assist learning. Today, many teachers also use audio-visual materials, including tape recordings, filmstrips, and tele­vision programmes. Some teachers utilize specially designed textbooks or audio­visual materials to give programmed instruction. In this method, a subject is broken down into a series of small steps called a programme. A student must master each step before going on to the next one. Students can thus study at their own pace.

Although teachers generally use a variety of teaching methods and materials, they must suit them to the abili­ties, age, and needs of their students. Nursery-school teachers, for example, use such instructional materials and methods as toys and games to attract the interest of youngsters. In certain areas, including the poorer sec­tions of large cities, some students may lack the basic communication and study skills they need to progress in school. To help these students acquire the necessary skills, a teacher may decide to use special methods and materials. For example, a teacher of reading in an inner-city school may find it helpful to use textbooks that re­late directly to life in the inner city. In all of these cases, a teacher must also take into account the differing needs and abilities of individual students.

? 1. Give Russian equivalents of the following phrases:

use a variety of methods to guide their students’ learning; a good teacher's basic concern; teachers have long depended on textbooks; study at their own pace; nursery-school teachers; instructional materials and methods; may lack the basic communication and study skills; use special methods and materials.

2. Say if the following sentences are true or false.

1. Most teachers don’t use a variety of methods to guide their students’ learning. 2. Many teachers believe that students should be given only enough guidance to help them learn to solve prob­lems by themselves. 3. Some teachers utilize specially designed textbooks or audio­visual materials to give programmed instruction. 4. In this method, a subject isn’t broken down into a series of small steps called a programme. 5. Although teachers generally use a variety of teaching methods and materials, they have to suit them to the abili­ties, age, and needs of their students.

3. Insert missing words, use the text’s vocabulary:

1. For example, they sometimes guide students … and sometimes as a …. 2. But even when deal­ing with students as a group, a good teacher's basic concern is the individual … of each student. 3. Nursery-school teachers, for example, use such … materials and methods as toys and games to attract the interest of youngsters. 4. To help these students acquire the necessary …, a teacher may decide to use special methods and materials. 5. In all of these cases, a teacher must also take into account the differing needs and abilities of individual students.

4. Translate these sentences into your native language:

1. Most teachers use a variety of methods to guide their students’ learning. For example, they sometimes guide students indi­vidually and sometimes as a group. 2. But even when deal­ing with students as a group, a good teacher's basic concern is the individual development of each student. 3. In certain areas, including the poorer sec­tions of large cities, some students may lack the basic communication and study skills they need to progress in school. 4. To help these students acquire the necessary skills, a teacher may decide to use special methods and materials. 5. Today, many teachers also use audio-visual materials,including tape recordings, filmstrips, and tele­vision programmes.