Drilling

Drilling
‘Drilling’ is a basic technique whereby we can give students the opportunity to practise saying a new word, phrase or
structure in a highly controlled environment. Students should always understand the meaning of the target language before
they are drilled and at this stage the aim is that they should achieve the best possible pronunciation.
Choral drilling
Having taught the meaning of the new language, it can often be appropriate to drill the students chorally.
1. The teacher ‘models’ the target language or plays the relevant part of the cassette. The students in the class listen
carefully to the correct pronunciation. The teacher should say or play this language at least three or four times.
2. The teacher then asks the students to repeat the target language together. By doing it all together, the students are able
to try out the new language without fear of embarrassment at being singled out in front of their peers. Three or four times
is probably enough to help build up the students' confidence. (You should not worry about trying to hear the pronunciation
of individual students at this stage; that will come during the individual drilling that follows.)
Example classroom exchange for a choral drill:
(The teacher shows the students a picture of someone playing tennis).
She's playing tennis. (PAUSE)
She's playing tennis. (PAUSE)
She's playing tennis. (Gesture for class to repeat)
She's playing tennis.