Tefl.NET Forums

I am suppose to write out the Target Language for "Asking for, giving and understanding directions". I need help and advice on this, as I am completely lost.

This is what I have written for my Target Language.

Questions : Where is + building name/place/street
How to get to + building name/place/street
Answers : It is on + street name + preposition + building name/place/street

e.i. "Where is the cinema,please?"
- It is on **** Street. Turn left at this stop sign, go straight till you see the post
office. The cinema beside the post office, on the left.

"How to get from the playground to the museum, please?"
- It is on **** Street. Walk down *** street to **** street. Turn right and the
museum is next to the Times Bookshop.

Would this be correct for the Target Language? Should I add more?

Thank you and any help is appreciated.

Hi Jniess,
I've always found that Lucy gives some excellent advice on this kind of thing in her topics at http://www.tefl.net/forums/viewforum.php?f=2

Regards,

Systematic

Thank you Systematic for your reply. I did go through the Forum and I found two advices on this topic.

However, I still cant seem to get mine right :(
Seems Lucy is no longer able to help student in their course work :(

jniess wrote:Thank you Systematic for your reply. I did go through the Forum and I found two advices on this topic.

However, I still cant seem to get mine right :(
Seems Lucy is no longer able to help student in their course work :(

Hi,
That may be true - this board is generally for discussion by TEFL teachers, but it also depends what kind of course you are on.
I'm not quite sure what Target Language means in this context. In my experience the term refers to an aspect of translating work. If you Google the words 'target language' you may get some answers to your questions.
Sorry I can't be of more help.

In this context, "target language" is the language you aim to present in a lesson. It can also mean the language that something is (going to be) translated into or the language that a language learner is learning.

You seem to be doing a TEFL course and covering the teaching of functional language (eg giving directions); and the "target language" required is examples of the functional language. If that is the case, your examples seem fine and adequate, with a few corrections:

How to get to + building name/place/street
How do I/does one get to + building name/place/street?

The cinema is beside the post office, on the left.

How to get from the playground to the museum, please?
How do I/does one get from the playground to the museum, please?

It is on **** Street. Walk down *** Street to **** Street. Turn right and the
museum is next to the Times Bookshop.

Thank you Very Much Systematic for your reply. I appreciate it very much.
You have been of help-

Thanks again.

"Target language" is a very commonly used piece of TEFL course jargon. It means the language that you want students to learn by the end of the lesson, e.g. the grammar point that you want them to be able to use when they speak. In other words, you are on the right track.

Thank you very much TN and Alex Case. You have enlighten me and the dilemma I had on this for a few weeks.

Hello, I need help with this topics below and was wondering if this is right?
The topic, Asking for, giving and understanding directions. Elementry, adult group of 8.

Thank you.


Assumed Knowledge : Students at this level should have some knowledge of
Preposition of place and common locations in a town.

Language for giving directions


It is next to the *****(eg building name)
It is across from **** (eg Building name/Street/ Place)

E.g It’s on Oak Street, next to the hospital
It’s on 3rd Avenue, across from the park


Anticipated Problems : Giving unclear directions
Using the wrong prepositions (eg next to *** instead of on the
right of ****)
Unable to read a map correctly

Solutions : Revise briefly prepositions of place and locations in the town
Encourage students to make sentences by asking for directions and
giving directions to several landmarks via role play.
Writing some prepositions to give directions on the white board.
Encourage students to give clear and precise directions of where a place is located.during role play
Students write and read directions from the school, located in town, to
various locations around the school.


Preparation and Aids : Individual map for students of the town, large map of the town
(for the white board), white board, markers, pictures of
places/landmarks (eg bank, hospital, garden. post office),
transperancy and overhead projector. Cloze activity
worksheet for homework.