Language in context

Excerpts from the Approaches to learning and teaching series, courtesy of Cambridge University Press and Cambridge Assessment International Education: cambridge.org/approachestolearning

What is language in context? Language learning is meaningful when it is presented and practised in context. Use contexts that are relevant and interesting to engage learners in their learning and show how the language may be used outside the classroom. This is particularly relevant for teaching grammar. For example, you could present a learning objective about using comparative and superlative adjectives in the context of shopping. If you ask learners to look at a selection of items (online or in a catalogue) and discuss which one they want to buy and why, you will give them practice which is relevant to them, has a clear purpose and encourages them to interact naturally. Contexts which are authentic will be realistic and meaningful for learners. Authentic contexts can be drawn from a wide range of printed, online, audio and visual sources even at the early primary stages. You may need to adapt the resources for use in the classroom by grading the language and checking for any references that are inappropriate for the age or cultural background of your learners. If you bring a range of different contexts into the classroom you will also make lessons more varied and dynamic.