Unit 4 Functions

Basically, a function is the reason why we communicate (Spratt, Pulverness, & Williams, 2012). In other words, when we speak or express we always have a purpose for doing it, some examples of language functions are: greeting, predict, apologise, and so on.

Nowadays, coursebooks are based on functions and at the same time they explain the structure for each of the functions. It’s worth adding that most of the modern books teach writing using functions.

As English teachers we can take advantage on this books and we can make our students produce the language by using functions. For instance, we can use role plays where functions must be used, this help a lot to kinesthetic learners. Additionally, we can make students practice the correct register and at the same time they will develop fluency and confidence with the language. It is important to mention that we must give students some chunks and exponents so they will be able to perform the activity.

Finally, we can also use functions to teach writing skills. Usually, we can follow the coursebooks’ activities, but if the book that we use in the class does not have it, we can use Cambridge international proficiency exams to practice writing such as: KET, PET, FCE or CAE according to the students’ level. In the writing sections of the mentioned exams the prompts require students to use exponents in different kind of registers according to the level. Thus, we can work in class with the different free exams’ preparation material that is available online.

On the following links, we can find useful information that can help us in the class to work with functions.

Simple English Videos

It is a YouTube channel created by two native speakers to teach grammar tenses, vocabulary and language functions. It is really useful to reinforce knowledge.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCskz5P7AEEVieGX2-Vtc4Dg

uTorrent

On this link we can download the software where we can find the official Cambridge material to practice writing skills.

http://www.utorrent.com/intl/es/

References

Simple English Videos. (7 de May de 2016). Obtenido de YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCskz5P7AEEVieGX2-Vtc4Dg

Spratt, M., Pulverness, A., & Williams, M. (2012). The TKT Course Modules 1,2 and 3. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

uTorrent. (2016). uTorrent. Obtenido de http://www.utorrent.com/intl/es/