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7. Reconstructing a model text

Reconstructing a model text can be done in spoken or written form. It is the process of eliciting from the students as accurately as possible the text presented to them earlier.

The rationale of this stage is like this: by remembering the model text the students can experience a feeling of success and gain ability in using the words and structures accurately.

a) Skelleton texts

A1) Only the first letters of each word is given

Text A

Model text:

Do you really mind me spending every Saturday at a football match?

Do you really mind me spending the evenings tinkering with my motor bike?

Do you really mind me smoking like a chimney?

Do you really mind me getting drunk one a while?

Well, then we’ll have to say good-bye because I do mind intolerant people.

(taken from G. Gerngroß and H. Puchta: Creative Grammar Practice; 1994, page 39)

a1) Another version of a skeleton text

Model text

I was awful.

When she heard that word

She fell right back into that old trap

Of disliking herself,

Of feeling guilty,

Of wanting to creep into a mouse-hole,

Of taking back what she had said.

She was her old self again

Skeleton text

It was ___________________.

When _____________________

______________ fell right back into that old trap

of _________,

_____was _____old _____ self again.

b) Jumbled texts

Model text

The big car moved silently down the road.

I quickly hid behind the bushes.

The car stopped and a man slowly got out.

The doorbell of the dark house rang loudly.

A man and a woman began to talk angrily.

Then a shot rang out suddenly.

I saw the man’s hat gently rolling away.

Jumbled text