In the field of English as a Second Language (ESL), language practice typically involves two
main approaches: controlled practice and free practice.
1. Controlled Practice:
○ Controlled practice activities provide learners with structured exercises where
they can practice specific language points, such as grammar rules,
vocabulary, pronunciation, or sentence structures.
○ These activities often involve drills, fill-in-the-blank exercises, matching
exercises, or sentence completion tasks.
○ The goal of controlled practice is to give learners opportunities to use the
target language in a controlled environment, allowing them to focus on
accuracy and understanding of the language rules.
○ Controlled practice activities focus on accuracy.
2. Free Practice:
○ Free practice activities give learners more autonomy to use the target
language in a less structured and more natural way.
○ These activities can include role-plays, discussions, debates, storytelling,
problem-solving tasks, or collaborative projects.
○ The aim of free practice is to encourage learners to use the language
spontaneously and creatively, focusing more on fluency and communication
rather than accuracy.
○ Free practice activities often simulate real-life situations where learners need
to use English to express their ideas, opinions, and emotions.
○ Free practice activities focus on fluency.
Both controlled and free practice are essential components of ESL instruction. Controlled
practice helps learners grasp the basic rules and structures of the language, while free
practice allows them to integrate these rules into meaningful communication. Effective ESL
teaching often involves a balance between these two approaches, tailored to the learners'
proficiency level and learning goals.
Controlled Practice Activities:
1. Grammar Drills (don’t confuse them with pronunciation drills): Exercises
focusing on specific grammar rules or structures, such as verb conjugation, sentence
formation, or tense usage. Example: Fill in the blanks with the correct verb form: "She
____ (go) to the store every day."
2. Gap-fill Exercises: Activities where learners fill in missing words, phrases, or
sentences using vocabulary or grammar rules provided. Example: Complete the
sentences with the correct prepositions: "She's afraid ____ spiders."
3. Sentence Transformation: Tasks requiring students to rewrite sentences while
maintaining the same meaning but using a different structure or form. Example:
Rewrite the sentence using reported speech: "He said, 'I am tired.'"
4. Dictation: Listening activities where learners transcribe spoken sentences or
passages, focusing on spelling, punctuation, and listening comprehension. Example:
Listen to the passage and write down what you hear.
5. Structured Dialogues: Practice activities where learners engage in scripted
conversations, often focusing on specific language functions or scenarios. Example:
Role-play a dialogue at a restaurant ordering food.
Free Practice Activities:
1. Role-Playing: Simulation activities where learners take on different roles and engage
in spontaneous conversations or interactions. Example: Role-play a job interview
scenario.
2. Debates: Group discussions where learners express and defend their opinions on
various topics, encouraging critical thinking and argumentation. Example: Debate
whether technology has more positive or negative effects on society.
3. Information Gap Activities: Tasks where learners exchange information to complete
a task or solve a problem, promoting communication and collaboration. Example:
One student has a map, and the other has directions. They must work together to
find a location.
4. Storytelling: Activities where learners create and share their own stories, narratives,
or personal experiences, fostering creativity and fluency. Example: Tell a story about
a memorable childhood experience.
5. Project-Based Learning: Long-term, collaborative projects where learners work
together to research, plan, and present information on a specific topic or theme.
Example: Create a presentation about a famous historical figure or event.
These activities can be adapted and modified based on the proficiency level and interests of
the students, as well as the specific language learning goals of the lesson.
TASK 1: Answer the questions:
■ What are controlled practice activities, and what are their main
characteristics?
■ What are free practice activities, and how do they differ from controlled
practice?
■ What are the benefits of incorporating both types of practice activities
in ESL lessons?
■ Can you think of real-life examples or scenarios where each type of
practice activity would be most effective?
TASK 2: Identify three examples of controlled practice activities and three examples of free
practice activities commonly in the coursebook you are currently using.
Analysis:
For each example, analyze the following aspects:
● Describe the activity and its structure.
● Identify the language skill or concept targeted by the activity (e.g., grammar
point, vocabulary theme, speaking fluency).
● Discuss the benefits of the activity in terms of language learning objectives
(e.g., accuracy vs. fluency, comprehension vs. communication).
● Reflect on how each activity promotes learner engagement and interaction.
Comparison:
● Compare and contrast the characteristics of controlled and free practice
activities based on your analysis.
● Consider factors such as learner autonomy, level of structure, focus on
accuracy vs. fluency, and opportunities for real-life language use.
Reflection:
○ Reflect on the effectiveness of the self-study task and its impact on your
understanding of language practice types.
○ Consider how you can apply this knowledge to optimize your language
learning journey in the future.
TASK 3: Alone or with a partner, design a mini-lesson plan focusing on a specific language
point (e.g., present continuous tense, expressing opinions, giving directions). Each
mini-lesson plan should include:
● Clear learning objectives.
● A sequence of activities incorporating both controlled and free practice.
● Justifications for the choice of each practice activity and its alignment with the
learning objectives.
● Consideration of student engagement and interaction.
After a designated time for planning, present your mini-lesson plan to the rest of the trainees.
● Encourage feedback and discussion on the effectiveness of the planned activities,
including suggestions for improvement and alternative approaches.
● Emphasize the importance of balancing controlled and free practice activities for
effective language learning.
Conclusion: Conclude your self-study task by summarizing key insights gained and
outlining any adjustments you plan to make to your language study routine based on your
analysis.
