The Year of Reflecting Dangerously : Back to Basics

This reflective paper discusses the issue of developing a basic teaching skill -giving instructions.It is based on a teaching journal that I kept about a class of students who frequently did not understand how to do the tasks I asked them to carry out.First, the rationale for focusing on this particular aspect of teacher talk -instructional language -is provided.Other than it being an important skill for any teacher to develop, effectively giving instructions is extremely important in Rikkyo University's English Discussion Class (EDC) due to curriculum constraints, for example, a lesson methodology that relies on careful time management to be effective.Next, examples of the class's performance are given, and my corresponding changes in instructional style are described.The paper ends with my comments on the benefits and challenges of a year of reflection, and briefly explains further action research topics of interest.