What not to say to someone who stammers

This lesson was devised to mark International Stammering/Stuttering Awareness Day on 22 October. However, as this is not specifically mentioned, it could be used at any time of year. The grammar focus is useful to learners planning to take the FCE exam.

Teacher helping a learner with reading in classroom
Author
Rachael Roberts

Introduction

The lesson begins with students reading a short text with some key points about stammering. (Note that ‘stammering’ is the word used in the UK, and ‘stuttering’ means the same thing but is more commonly used in the USA and Australia.) They then go on to read a first-person account by a person who stammers, about how he would prefer people to respond when he does so. After some discussion about the topic, the lesson goes on to focus on some different grammatical structures to express preference and sometimes annoyance: would rather/sooner, would prefer, wish. There is some practice using sentence transformation (as found in FCE) and then some more personalised practice.

Learning outcomes:

  • Give examples of how (not) to respond when someone stammers
  • Practise reading for specific information
  • Use a range of structures for expressing preference and/or annoyance: would prefer, would sooner, would rather, wish

Age/ Level:

Aged 13-17 and Adults (CEFR B1/ B2)

Note: This lesson is especially useful for Cambridge First Certificate preparation

Time:

65 minutes

Materials:

  • Lesson plan - This includes a short text in the appendix
  • Presentation - This could replace Worksheet 2
  • Worksheet 1 - Reading text
  • Worksheet 2 - Grammar activities

 

 

Downloads
Lesson plan212.38 KB
Worksheet 1164.71 KB
Worksheet 2173.49 KB
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