THE INSTRUCTIONS THAT ARE GIVEN AT THE BEGINNING ARE CRUCIAL

2.1. Presentation: The instructions that are given at the beginning are crucial. If the studentsdo not understand exactly what they have to do, there will be time-wasting,confusion, lack of effective practice, possible loss of control. Select tasks thatare simple enough to describe easily; and in monolingual classes, you may findit cost-effective to explain some or all in the students’mother tongue. It isadvisable to give the instructions before giving out materials of dividing theclass into groups; and a preliminary rehearsal or ‘dry run’ of a sample of theactivity with the full class can help to clarify things. If your students havealready done similar activities, you will be able to shorten the process, givingonly brief guidelines; It is mainly the first time of doing something with a classthat such care needs to be invested in instructing.Try to foresee what language will be needed, and have a preliminaryquick review of appropriate grammar or vocabulary. Finally before giving thesign to start tell the class what the arrangements are for stopping: If there is atime limit, or a set signal for stopping, say what it is; if the groups simply stopwhen they have finished, then tell them what they will have to do next. It is wiseto have a reserve task planned to occupy members of groups who finish earlierthan expected.