Observation Task 2: Reading a Story in the
local UAE School
Identify the type of pre-whilst and post reading activities employed
by your MST
Table 7: Reading a Story in the local UAE Preschool
What the MST What the Comments
Does Children Do
The teacher Students were I liked how the
engaged the curious and they teacher engaged
students by asking started to guess the students and
them some the name. The grabbed their
questions to make teacher got many attention.
them curious about answers; some of
Pre-Reading
the story. She said, them answered
Activities
We will read a story with Mother and
Name the book / story.
Laila's toy about a small girl some of them gave
and I want you to their sister or
Describe how your guess her name. maids names. But
MST gets children Teacher described at the end they got
interested in the story the bus supervisor it when she gave
and wanting to hear / because her name is them more hints.
read it.
Laila, she gave the
students some hints
e.g. she take you
everyday from your
home and bring you
here.
The teacher was Students were I like how the
changing her voice actively involved teacher changed
pitch according to and happy. They her voice pitch to
the character; e.g. listened to the make the story
While-Reading
she talked with a teacher without more enjoyable for
Activities
soft voice to distributing her the students
How your MST keeps
represent Lailas because they were because reading it
children interested and
voice. interested in the in one voice pitch
actively involved.
story. would make them
feel bored and they
will lose their
interest.
After reading the The students I like that the teacher
story the teacher answered the developed their fine
Post-Reading asked the students questions and retell motor skills by asking
Activities some questions the story, as they them to draw on their
How your MST about it; e.g. what understand it. white boards. Also they
consolidates the was the name of the had the chance to be
storyline and explores small girl? Also she All of the students creative and use their
opportunities for asked each student started drawing a imagination to draw
developing language, to retell one part of small girl to the girl because every
topic related and the story. After that represent Laila on child draw Laila in his
personal, social and she asked the their white boars. own way.
emotional issues. students to draw
Laila on their small
white boars.
Reflections on Observation Task 2: Reading a Story
in the Local UAE Preschool
1. What preparation (i.e. pre-listening activity) did the
teacher give the learners before they listened to the
text?
She asked the students some questions to keep them
curious.
If they had some preparation, select (a) if they did not,
select (b).
a. How did the pre-listening activity help students understand?
Asking questions before the lesson help to improve students thinking
and to keep them interested to know the answers of the questions. In
this way the little learners would be a good listeners.
b. What pre-listening activity could the teacher have used to
help students understand the target language better?
2. Were the learners engaged in while-listening activity/activities?
If they were, select (a); if they were not, select (b).
a. What were the aims of the while-listening activity/activities?
The aim was to recognize letter L. Students were engaged because
they had a visual words that contains letter L to look at such as, Laila.
Lolo (the name of Lailas doll) and Lemon.
b. What while-listening activity/activities could the teacher
have used to help learners understand better what they were
listening to?
3. Did the learners have a post-listening
activity/activities? If they did, select (a); if they did
not, select (b).
a. What were the aims of the post-listening activity/activities?
To let the teacher assets students understanding of the story and to
develop their fine motor skills and creativity by drawing on their white
boards.
b. What post-listening activity/ activities might have helped the
learners to understand what they had heard well?
4. How many times did the learners listen to the text /
recording?
Two times
a. Would it have increased their understanding if they had been
allowed to listen to the recording again? Explain.
Yes, at the beginning the teacher played the song of the story
and after that she read the story for them. By listening to the
story more than one time would lead to a better understanding
of the story.
b. Did the learners hear the whole text at once, or in parts?
The teacher paused to ask them questions; e.g. how many lemons in
the picture?, what color is Lailas dress?
c. If so, which was the most helpful?
Pausing was helpful because the teacher paused the story on the
important parts to ask the students questions about what she wants
them to learn.
Think about the advantages and disadvantages of using the
model of pre-, while- and post-listening activities to teach a
listening lesson. Write first from the perspective of the teacher
and then from the perspective of the learners.
Advantages from the perspective of the teacher:
Keeping the students interested and engaged in the lesson and in
this way the lesson will run smoothly and it will lead to a better
understanding because students learn better when they teacher
use students-learning strategy and apply the five es.
Disadvantages from the perspective of the teacher:
Teacher should prepare different activities and plan for the lesson
and this would be exhausting to the teacher because it will take a
long time of working. Also, teacher should manage her time well
to be able to finish the lesson and do the activities before the
time finishes.
Advantages from the perspective of the students:
Students will be able to understand what they are listening for. They
will be engaged in the lesson and they will love to learn. Giving the
students different activities will enhance their understanding.
Disadvantages from the perspective of the students:
Students might feel board if the teacher included a lot of activities
because some of them might be not able to understand all of the
activities and that would make them feel that they are under
pressure.