HEROES Teacher's Guide - Book - Page 16
16. Setting a Pace for Learning
The Ministry of Education does not specify how many hours a week schools must provide
English instruction at this grade level; the hours vary greatly. Some schools may provide one
period a week while others may provide two or more. Furthermore, there are some classes
that progress more quickly and others more slowly. Thus, it is difficult to generalize how long
each unit will take. Teachers should set their own pace, taking into consideration that pupils
need time to be exposed to the language, to practice it, and internalize it. This should not be
rushed. There is no pressure to "get through the material." Pupils should feel comfortable
and enjoy their learning experience.
17. Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Twenty-first-century pedagogy demands that EFL students are enabled and challenged to
use a variety of digital tools in their language learning. The Heroes program incorporates a
variety of online activities in order to provide the opportunity for pupils to practice English
while interacting with the digital world.
The online activities are fun, colorful, interactive, and motivating, and are suitable to meet
the needs of young English learners. They can be used to enhance the language learning
experience through special features and activities such as interactive games and exercises,
digital storybooks, interactive online vocabulary practice, and more.
The online activities can be used in class and at home. This gives teachers an opportunity to
demonstrate the activities on the website for the pupils while utilizing them for practice and
review of vocabulary. Teachers can find specific instructions for using the activities in class in
the detailed Teacher’s Guide.
Pupils should then be directed to the English Adventure website (www.eadventure.co.il) for
independent practice. If available, the pupils can be given the chance to explore the website
in a school computer lab or in the classroom (teachers should speak to the school IT
coordinator). Pupils should also be encouraged to practice using the website at home with
the guidance of their parents.
18. Assessment
Assessment has various purposes, but in the young learner classroom its main purpose is to
provide information which will benefit the pupil’s learning and inform instruction. To this
end, a formative assessment should be viewed as an ongoing process of collecting
information on the pupil’s abilities, difficulties, and progress, and a summative assessment
to evaluate pupils' achievements. One of the most effective means of obtaining this
information is by observing the pupils in the classroom setting, recording their performance
as they are engaged in activities, reviewing samples of their work over time, and evaluating
performance-based tasks.
A number of assessment tools have been provided to help teachers monitor pupils’ progress
as they develop their language and literacy skills throughout the year.
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