The Speaking First Curriculum: Unit 2

the content is presented as ordered above. I spend 3-4 lessons on each content topic. Making sure the students remember the vocabulary in phase 1 will make the other phases easier. With older students you may only need to spend 2 lessons on the earlier units as they can retain the information better in the beginning.

it's important to introduce and learn the vocabulary first. Once the students know the words, then the target language is introduced.

there are many games you can use to practice vocabulary and target language. Some of my favorites are bingo in all of its variations, concentration, and slap. These are quite good for phase 1. More games to use with the flashcards are Say Theirs, the Swap and Try Remembering This. Another great game that's easy for students to play is Last Card Out

on some of the content pages (fruit, for example) you'll also find a Mark's notes section that gives you an idea of how the vocabulary ties into the target language section

Phase 1: I introduce the target language attached to vocabulary sets in the final lesson on that topic. The students should be fairly familiar with all of the vocabulary and are ready to use the words. As we move on, I continue to practice most of the target language in unit 1 and 2 via an initial section of my class called "talking time". I use 'talking time' at the beginning of every lesson for review as well.

The beginning of the curriculum is loaded with vocabulary. I like to use TPR as well in phase 1 to introduce verbs and increase the students passive vocabulary in a fun and less threatening manner. I use Exercise Time in every lesson up through unit 6 or so. Once we start working with phonics workbooks, I drop exercise time as a central part of each lesson.

The running content section: I continue with one letter and one number in each lesson. I stick with 1-20 for a while, even with older students, but if they're ready to move on, don't hold them back.

Assuming you spend 3 lessons on each topic, you will finish the alphabet or come close to it by the end of Unit 2. If you spend 4 lessons per topic, you'll definitely finish the alphabet. In which case, I generally just practice a few letters each day reviewing the reading and then showing them how those readings are blended together to sound out words. If the students are ready to start reading you can let them try, but I generally just do it and let them observe how to sound out words for a while.

Phase 2: I'll come back to phase 2 and phase 3 once I get all of phase 1 posted.

Phase 3: I'll come back to phase 2 and phase 3 once I get all of phase 1 posted.

If you'd like to listen to the the curriculum explained, I discussed the curriculum and how it runs on ESL Teacher Talk.com:

The MES curriculum part 1, The MES curriculum part 2, Phonics part 1, Phonics part 2