Interaction patterns - grouping learners

A teacher organizes a classroom debate. What is the primary interaction pattern?

• A) Pair work (S - S)

• B) Group work (SS)

• C) Whole-class

Why might a teacher prefer pair work to group work for a beginner class (A1)?

• A) It reduces the pressure on individual learners by sharing tasks.

• B) It allows for extended discussions with the whole group.

• C) It eliminates the need for teacher monitoring.

In what situation is individual work (S) most appropriate?

• A) Practicing speaking skills for fluency.

• B) Completing reflective writing or self-paced activities.

• C) Building social skills through interaction.

What is a key benefit of whole-class discussions?

• A) They give every learner an equal opportunity to participate at the same time.

• B) They are easier to manage logistically than smaller groups.

• C) They allow the teacher to model language and engage everyone

Which interaction pattern is being used when the teacher works directly with all the learners at the same time?

• A) Group work

• B) Lockstep

• C) Pair work

What is the main rationale for using pair work in language teaching?

• A) It allows learners to focus individually on a task.

• B) It provides maximum speaking opportunities in a controlled setup.

• C) It ensures learners compete rather than collaborate.

Which is an example of whole-class interaction?

• A) Students discuss a question in small groups.

• B) The teacher explains a grammar rule while everyone listens.

• C) Learners take turns reading aloud in pairs.

Why is group work useful in language learning?

• A) It guarantees that every learner will practice equally.

• B) It fosters collaboration and simulates real-world communication.

• C) It ensures teacher control over all responses.

Which activity typically uses the lockstep (T - SS) interaction pattern?

• A) A teacher gives a choral drill to practice pronunciation.

• B) Learners write an essay individually.

• C) Two learners role-play a dialogue.

Which is an example of individual work?

• A) Each student completes a gap-fill exercise silently.

• B) S - S practice a dialogue.

• C) A teacher leads the class in brainstorming vocabulary.