teaching prose unit v

Teaching of Prose

Meaning of Teaching of Prose

Teaching of prose means teaching reading with comprehension. Since the students are already taught the methods of reading a language, the next logical step is to teach them reading with comprehension. Prose reading helps learners understand the ideas clearly and develop language skills effectively.

According to Coleridge,
“Prose is words in their best order.”

Teaching of prose means the intensive study of language, structures and vocabulary. The major objective of teaching prose is to make students understand and use the English language without any difficulty. Therefore, teaching prose concentrates on both language study and comprehension of ideas.

Aims of Teaching Prose

• To develop reading with comprehension
• To enrich vocabulary
• To improve sentence structure and grammar
• To develop fluency in reading
• To encourage thinking and expression
• To cultivate interest and enjoyment in reading

Herbart Five Step System of Teaching Prose

There are different ways to prepare a lesson plan. The most useful method is Herbart’s Five Step System. According to Herbart, the five steps for teaching English prose are:

1. Aims

The teacher clearly states the general and specific objectives of the lesson such as comprehension, vocabulary development and language skills.

2. Preparation

The teacher prepares students mentally by connecting the new lesson with their previous knowledge through questions or discussion.

3. Presentation

The lesson is presented through model reading, explanation of difficult words, silent and loud reading, and discussion of ideas.

4. Recapitulation

The teacher tests the understanding of students by asking oral and written questions.

5. Assignment

Homework is given to reinforce learning, such as answering questions, writing summaries or vocabulary exercises.

Teaching Prose as a Skill Subject

In schools, teaching of prose is often considered an easy task because teachers translate the content into the mother tongue. However, prose should be taught as a language skill subject and not merely as a content subject.

Effective teaching of prose means providing opportunities to acquire language skills through reading, discussion, and expression rather than translation.

Reading material should be easy, interesting, and comprehensible to motivate learners and develop confidence in reading English.

Johnson’s View on Prose Reading

“I will let him at first read any English book which happens to engage his attention, because you have done a great deal when you have taught him to have entertainment from a book. He’ll get better books afterwards.”

📘 Teaching of Prose aims at developing comprehension, language skills, and a love for reading.

Herbartian Lesson Plan

General Information

Class	VI
Subject	English
Topic	Bhola, Grandpa and the Tiger
Time	40 Minutes
Method	Herbartian Five-Step Method
Teaching Aids	Textbook, Blackboard, Chalk, Pictures

Instructional Objectives

Domain	Objectives
Knowledge	To recall characters and events of the story
Understanding	To understand the theme and moral of the lesson
Application	To use new words in sentences
Skill	To read the passage with correct pronunciation and fluency
Attitude	To develop courage, wisdom, and confidence

Presentation of the Lesson (Herbartian Steps)

Step	Teacher’s Activities	Students’ Activities	Teaching Aids
1. Preparation	Shows picture of a tiger and asks questions to relate prior knowledge	Answer questions orally	Picture, Blackboard
2. Presentation	Introduces the lesson and reads the passage with correct pronunciation	Listen attentively	Textbook
Teaching Vocabulary	Explains difficult words with examples	Learn meanings	Blackboard
Silent Reading	Asks students to read silently	Read silently	Textbook
3. Association	Asks comprehension questions	Answer orally	Textbook
4. Generalization	Helps derive the moral of the story	State moral	Blackboard
5. Application	Gives sentence formation and paragraph tasks	Apply learning	Notebook
6. Recapitulation	Asks short revision questions	Respond briefly	Blackboard
7. Assignment	Gives homework based on the lesson	Note assignment	Notebook

Moral of the Lesson

Wisdom, courage, and presence of mind help us overcome fear and danger.