A mnemonic is a memory aid — a hook, a technique, phrase, pattern, image, or acronym that helps you remember information more easily. Language teachers usually think of them as acronyms. Ones I learned at school were DOGWUF in German (to remember prepositions which take the accusative case) and MRS DAVENTRAMP (for remembering French verbs which use être as their auxiliary in the perfect gense). Here are some others you may know or like. Many of these were shared by teachers on Facebook when I was drafting our book about memory ( Memory: What Every Language Teacher Should Know ( Smith and Conti, 2021)). French French mnemonics What they refer to EN for engine Using en in repositional phrases for motorised means of transport, e.g. en voiture versus à pied A TV AND MRS PERM MR DRAPERS MT VAN MR VAM RRED PANTS DR PV MASTERMAN DR VEMS MANTRAP MR DREAMPANTS The verbs which take the auxiliary être in ...
You may or may not use many task-based lessons, but task-based language teaching (TBLT) in general gets good support from researchers. Major names in the field associated with TBLT are usually from the field of English as a Second/Foreign Language. They include Jane Willis, Rod Ellis, Mike Long, Peter Skehan and David Nunan. The basic premise is that that acquisition is more likely to be promoted when students are focused on a meaningful task - using the target language for a purpose. Task-based lessons are also more likely to be enjoyable and develop what Deci and Ryan, the self-determination theory scholars, call autonomy, competence and relatedness. TBLT stands in contrast to traditional grammar-based approaches which are more teacher-led and where the main focus is on practising language forms. In my own practice, I used TBLT in various forms whenever I felt it supported students' progress and provided enjoyable, target language-based input and interaction. We all have our go-...