Stage 6 of 7 — Semi-controlled Practice
Time: 20 minutes
Source: SB p. 5, Communication Activator A–B; TB T5
Interaction: Guided pair interviews → clarification → rehearsed partner summary
Set the task
Students interview each other about education, work experience, important decisions, previous plans and present career or study goals. Personal information is optional: students may use an invented or composite profile.
20-minute sequence
- 5 minutes: Student A interviews Student B and takes minimal timeline notes.
- 5 minutes: reverse roles.
- 5 minutes: partners identify one unclear time relationship and ask clarification questions.
- 5 minutes: each student rehearses a 45-second partner summary.
Minimum task requirements
- three follow-up questions;
- at least two different past-time relationships;
- minimal notes rather than complete written answers;
- one clarification or self-correction before the final summary.
Teacher observation
- follow-up questions and interaction management;
- tense choice from event order and duration;
- clarification when the timeline is unclear;
- respectful handling of personal information.
Differentiation
- Support: provide a three-box timeline (earlier / later / now), sentence starters such as Before…, While… and By the time…, or an invented profile card. Reduce the number of questions, not the speaking time.
- Core: require two time relationships, three follow-up questions and one self-correction.
- Extension: contrast past perfect and past perfect continuous or retell the same background from a different starting point.
Planned balance: 18 minutes student talk / 1 minute teacher talk / 1 minute setup.
Stage complete when: every student has interviewed, clarified and rehearsed a partner summary. Change partners and continue to Free Practice.
