Lesson plan on how to teach prepositions of place
Prepositions of place are function words that English language students cannot do without. These prepositions are not difficult to teach. This lesson plan starts with reviewing key vocabulary that may be used to teach prepositions of place. Then the prepositions are presented and practiced. Finally, students will be asked to come up with examples.
- Review vocabulary that may be used to teach prepositions of place. The vocabulary you introduce may depend on the units covered in your textbook. This may include vocabulary items such as:
- Present and practice the pronunciation of important prepositions of place such as:
- in front of
- next to
- Introduce the meaning of the above prepositions by giving clear examples:
- I am in front of the board.
- The board is behind me.
- My pen is in the pencil-case.
- My book is on the desk
- Check comprehension by asking questions such as:
- Where is my pen?
- Where is my book?
- Where am I?
- Practice the prepositions by using command drills as follows:
- Put your hand on your head.
- Put your hand under the desk.
- Put your pen on the desk.
- Put your pen in the pencil-case.
- Practice the prepositions by using a “picture dictation”. Tell students they will have to draw a picture according to your instructions. They will have to listen carefully and draw what they hear. Ask a volunteer to draw the picture on the board while his classmates draw it on a piece of paper (they mustn’t be able to see his drawing):
- Draw a table.
- Draw a ball on the table.
- Draw a cat under the table.
- At this stage students should be able to practice the prepositions in closed pairs. Write on the board a model conversation:
- Where is …?
- It’s … the …
A: Where is the book?
B: It’s on the desk.
- Ask students to write sentences to describe a picture:
- The cat is under the bed.
- The phone is on the bed.
- Ask students to write examples.