Lesson Plan: Creating Advice Columns in English as a Foreign Language (EFL)
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Duration: 4-6 weeks (12-15 class sessions)
Objectives:
- Develop English language skills through the creation of advice columns.
- Enhance writing, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
- Explore a variety of topics in-depth and express opinions.
- Foster creativity and build confidence in writing.
Materials:
- Computers with internet access
- Writing and research resources
- Projector for presentations
- Handouts and resources on writing advice columns
Week 1: Introduction to Advice Columns
Session 1:
- Introduction to the course and its objectives.
- Overview of advice columns and their purpose.
- Discuss the elements of a successful advice column.
- Assignment: Research and choose a specific area of life for your advice column (e.g., sports, beauty, relationships, language learning).
Session 2:
- Share chosen topics and discuss their relevance.
- Analyze and deconstruct examples of advice columns.
- Discuss the importance of empathy and cultural sensitivity in advice-giving.
- Homework: Begin brainstorming ideas for your advice column and its title.
Week 2: Creating the Advice Column Writer Persona
Session 3:
- Review the titles and topics chosen by students.
- Introduction to creating a fictional advice columnist persona.
- Discuss the importance of consistency and authenticity in the persona.
- Assignment: Develop a name, background, and personality for your advice columnist.
Session 4:
- Share and discuss the advice columnist personas in class.
- Explore writing styles and tones suitable for different topics.
- Homework: Begin drafting the introductory article about your advice columnist persona.
Week 3: Writing Advice Letters
Session 5:
- Review the introductory articles about advice columnist personas.
- Introduction to writing advice letters: structure and tone.
- Discuss strategies for understanding and empathizing with the letter writers.
- Assignment: Write three advice letters from fictional readers.
Session 6:
- Peer-review and provide constructive feedback on the advice letters.
- Explore different writing techniques to engage readers.
- Homework: Revise and polish your advice letters.
Week 4: Crafting Advice Column Articles
Session 7:
- Review and discuss the revised advice letters.
- Introduction to structuring advice column articles.
- Discuss the importance of providing well-reasoned and empathetic advice.
- Assignment: Write three advice column articles responding to the letters.
Session 8:
- Peer-review and provide constructive feedback on the advice column articles.
- Discuss strategies for maintaining a consistent voice throughout the column.
- Homework: Revise and polish your advice column articles.
Week 5: Designing the Advice Column
Session 9:
- Review and discuss the revised advice column articles.
- Introduction to design principles for advice columns (layout, graphics).
- Discuss the importance of visual elements in attracting readers.
- Assignment: Create a visually appealing design for your advice column.
Session 10:
- Share and discuss the designed advice column layouts.
- Explore digital tools for creating and formatting advice columns.
- Homework: Finalize and prepare your advice column for publication.
Week 6: Presentation and Conclusion
Session 11:
- Teams present their advice columns to the class.
- Discuss the challenges faced and lessons learned.
- Reflect on the overall learning experience and personal growth.
- Course conclusion and certificates distribution.
Assessment:
- Active participation in discussions and peer evaluations.
- Quality of advice letters and column articles.
- Consistency and authenticity of the advice columnist persona.
- Creativity and effectiveness in designing the advice column.
Note: This lesson plan encourages students to explore various aspects of advice column creation, from crafting personas to writing empathetic responses and designing visually appealing columns. Continuous feedback and support should be provided to ensure successful completion of the project.