Students Giving Oral Reports

This semester we use Success with Reading as outside reading material. Instead of giving the students tests to check if they read, I have them do an oral report. Students take turns as scheduled talking about an article assigned.

Their report contains three parts, all done in English. First, they summarize the article within 50 words. Then they read aloud and the other students repeat the 3~5 new words in the article, which they have listed on the blackboard before the class starts. Meanwhile, they challenge the class to give the meaning of the words. Last, they ask 5 questions about the article for the class to answer. The whole activity takes 5 minutes. The students are required to hand in the written form of their report.

Of coruse, this activity has its pros and cons. On the one hand, for me to give tests would not only save more class time because I can give a test on every 5 chapters but also better ensure that all students read the book. On the other hand, having students do oral reports offers them the opportunity to give a talk in English. Since students has less chance to do the latter out of class, I chose the oral report. Hopefully, they can benefit form this activity.