This document discusses the use of clines in language teaching. It begins by defining a cline as a scale of language items that goes from one extreme to another. Some examples of clines provided are from positive to negative, or from weak to strong. The document then provides reasons why clines are useful tools for language teaching, such as conveying meaning visually and highlighting shades of meaning. Finally, it gives some ideas for how to use clines in the classroom, such as creating a cline on the board and having students place language expressions along the scale.

1. Come Cline with Me
Jonathan Ingham, IH Palermo

3. Clines in Language Teaching

4. The British Council Teaching English website
defines a cline as:
‘a s _ _ _ _ of language i _ _ _ s that goes
from one e _ _ _ _ _ _ to another.
For example,
from p _ _ _ _ _ _ _ to n _ _ _ _ _ _ _,
or from w _ _ _ to s _ _ _ _ _’.
What is a cline?

5. The British Council Teaching English website
defines a cline as:
‘a s c a l e of language i t e m s that goes
from one e x t r e m e to another.
For example,
from p o s i t i v e to n e g a t i v e,
or from w e a k to s t r o n g’.
What is a cline?

6. An example

7. An example

8. Why are clines useful?
Conveying and clarifying language.
A visual representation of meaning.
Highlighting shades of meaning.
They provide students with a good record of language
to take home.
They are efficient and can cut down on teacher
talking time.

9. So what can we use them for?
Vocabulary (Lexical items)
Words
Expressions
Idiomatic phrases
Grammar

10. Adjectives - temperature

11. Adjectives - temperature

12. Expressing likes and dislikes

13. Expressing likes and dislikes

14. Modals of deduction

15. Modals of deduction

16. Hungry?

17. Hungry?

18. An ideas for using clines in class.
Draw the skeleton cline on the board.
Give students the expressions on cards.
Students stick them where they think they go
on the cline (bluetack on back of cards).
Students take a step back and work together
to discuss and agree on the positioning.
T clarifies and puts them in the correct place.
Follow up practice.

19. Thank you!