Directing Students' Attention

1. Greet students at the door when they enter the classroom.
2. Start the class on time.
3. Make a grand stage entrance to hush a large class and gain attention.
4. Give a pre-test on the day's topic.
5. Start the class with a puzzle, question, paradox, picture, or cartoon on slide or transparency to focus on the day's topic. Get sts talking in English straight away so you get their attention.
6. Elicit student questions and concerns at the beginning of the class and list these on the chalkboard to be answered during the hour.
7. Have students write down what they think the important issues or key points of the day's lecture will be.
8. Ask the person who is reading the student newspaper what is in the news today.