There are several reasons why we need to include a lead-in in our lessons. Here are some of them.
- Activating Prior Knowledge: A lead-in helps to activate students’ existing knowledge related to the topic. This can make it easier for them to connect new information with what they already know, facilitating better understanding and retention.
- Setting the Context: A lead-in provides the necessary context for the lesson. It helps students understand why they are learning the material and how it is relevant to real-world situations or their language learning goals.
- Motivating Students: Engaging lead-ins can motivate students by sparking their interest in the lesson. This could be achieved through intriguing questions, interesting facts, or relevant multimedia resources.
- Introducing Vocabulary and Concepts: A lead-in can introduce key vocabulary and concepts that will be covered in the lesson. This prepares students for the main activities and reduces the cognitive load during more complex tasks.
- Creating a Comfortable Learning Environment: Starting with a lead-in can make the classroom environment more relaxed and conducive to learning. It provides a warm-up period where students can ease into the lesson.
- Setting Expectations: A lead-in can outline the objectives and structure of the lesson, helping students understand what they will be doing and what is expected of them. This can improve their focus and participation.