Teachers' Tips: Backward Buildup

Review! Teach the Learner Encouragement Library Vocabulary Directions Jazz Chants Buildup Opportunity Begin Home

uestion: My students have trouble with long sentences. By the time I get to the end of the sentence, they have forgotten the first words. Help! answer: Backward buildup is a great way to tackle those long sentences. Just remember to speak in a natural rhythm and at a normal speed. They need to listen to the rhythm and intonation as well as the words. The students need a lot of repetition. Usually the teachers are the only ones tired of it! Give plenty of praise and encouragement when the entire sentence is finally repeated.

"Some friends don't help,
but a true friend is closer than your own family."
Proverbs 18:24
(Lesson 1, Book 1)

Ask them to listen carefully as you model the whole sentence for them several times. Model the last word in the sentence, being careful to use the same rhythm and intonation. Ask the student to repeat. Now model the second-to-the-last word along with the last word. Ask the student to repeat. Continue adding a word at a time, with the student repeating both the wordand the sentence part each time. Continue until the entire sentence is repeated. Advantages: Many students find it easier because they are focussed on the last part of the word/sentence. You are more likely to keep your intonations constant. If you don't keep them constant, you will confuse your student. A great part of our ministry is helping teachers and students be successful, so let us give you a hand. We have engaged an expert in ESL/literacy. Martha A. Lane has worked full-time in ESL and basic literacy ministries since 1973. She has written many materials, including: Laubach Way to English (co-author), Emergency English for Refugees, Handbook for Volunteer Reading Aides. One of the new books Marti is working on now is Jump into Citizenship. Visit Marti's page on this site: Ask Marti E-mail your ESL/literacy questions and keep this woman busy! marthaalane@earthlink.net

More Teacher's Tips Review! Review! Review! Teach the Learner The Power of Encouragement A Trip to the Library Vocabulary: Increasing it the easy way Directions: Finding your way around Jazz Chants: Accent reduction and learning the rhythm of English Using a theme picture: Check out what they already know Clap the Stress: Accent reduction Clap the Stress: Learning the rhythm of the English language Backward Buildup: Help in learning long sentences If you're finding these tips helpful,      why not bookmark this section?

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ESL Ministry

Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church

1801 Lacassie Avenue  Walnut Creek  California 94596   925-935-1574

Joanne Rae Meads  jrmeads@worldnet.att.net

September 16, 1999

© Copyright 1999 by Joanne Meads, All Rights Reserved