T字型レッスン

T字型レッスンで、基礎知識＋深い知識が確認出来ます。両方とも英語学習に必須です。

The "T-shape" is a very useful idea. It means the right balance of two things: 

• The — in the T is about shallow, wide, general knowledge. 
• The | in the T is about narrow, deep, specific knowledge. 

Every lesson must have both parts. 

So, let's look at each one. 

General

Let's start with the shallow, wide, general part. 

Your lesson needs to have general information. You can talk about ideas that catch your attention. This communication helps you connect ideas together. You can talk about a variety of things you find interesting. 

For example, you might pick a discussion topic that catches your eye.

Specific

Now, let's talk about the narrow, deep, specific part 

Your lesson needs to have some specific information. This knowledge has clear rules. It supports the general knowledge by giving you confidence that you are correct. 

For example, you might study a pronunciation point. You would learn specific, clear rules for how to make an English sound.

In practice

Here are a few lessons that have excellent — and I shapes. 

Example 1: 

• — -shape: You start by talking about your week. You talk about your manager and your work schedule. You say, "Recently, I am busy." But your teacher corrects you, "Recently, I've been busy."
• | -shape: Your teacher shows you specific rules for the perfect tense (I've been).
• — -shape After learning the rules, you talk correctly about your week. 

Example 2: 

• | -shape: You are studying the Grammar In Use textbook. The lesson gives the rules for choosing "will" and "would". 
• — -shape: You and your teacher talk about what you will do this weekend, and what you would do, if you could. 

Example 3: 

• — -shape: You are studying Business Result. This page is about motivation. 
• | -shape: You see a new word, "incentivize." Your teacher explains the meaning and use.
• — -shape: You use the word "incentivize" to talk about your own motivation. 

Example 4: 

Lessons at The English Farm often have both elements included. Consider this lesson from the Transitions course: Adding points while discussing education.

• — -shape: Discuss your thoughts on education.
• | -shape: Learn specific phrases you can use to add points. 

You need both

Lessons are boring without context. Imagine studying "would", but never using it to talk about things that are interesting. 

Lessons are useless without rules. If you hear, "I've been busy" but you don't learn the deep, specific rules, then you won't be able to speak correctly.

So, in every lesson, learn rules and use them to support general, interesting communication.