1. Worksheets: YES OR NO?

2. No, if it is a mere copy of their text- or grammar books it is full of mistakes it looks dull and does not give that extra personal touch to your teaching it merely kills that one tree (too much paper!) it is used in the wrong stage of the lesson (what? e.g. grammar revision + when? e.g. initial stage )

3. Yes, if it gives that extra ‘colour’ (formation objectives – world view) to your teaching it is well structured (formation objectives- learning strategies) it gives the pupils a clear frame that can be used in their learning/thinking process it is not complete: pupils should participate (not teacher-centered, but pupils-centered) it helps them to discover new language (and later study this!) –e.g. plural of nouns cf. ‘construction work’ in All Aboard –e.g. ‘word fields’ – elicitation/brainstorm

4. How to make worksheets? select the most important information make a difference between ‘main rules’ and details economy with words: don’t use too much and too complicated meta-language: use symbols or signs use motivating (sometimes funny) examples if possible add that visual (once again motivating) touch e.g. cartoons (of course linked with the topic)

5. How to use worksheets? e.g. in the presentation stage first oral approach + T uses the blackboard to collect examples and pupils + T discover new language rules, then worksheets (complete or incomplete) are handed out as a means to save time: pupils do not have to copy your blackboard scheme –if incomplete pupils have the chance to rethink and afterwards you can check their results by opening your BB e.g. in the integration stage pupils fill in the missing key elements in your schematic surveys (grids!!) to revise grammar – of course you must make sure your examples to find the rules are well chosen and even motivating!

6. and finally some quotes… You teach what you have to learn. It is not necessary to have achieved perfection to speak of perfection. It is not necessary to have achieved mastery to speak of mastery.God "Conversations with God (Book 3)" through Neale Donald Walsch When one teaches, two learn.Robert Half By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is the easiest; and third, by experience, which is the bitterest.Confucius

7. The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery. Mark Van Doren