English for Specific Purposes
Wrld

INTEGRATING A MIND MAPPING TECHNIQUE AND INFORMATION GAP ACTIVITIES IN TEACHING

ACADEMIC READING IN ENGLISH

Abstract. Teachers of English, no matter in what levels they are teaching,  need to create teaching and learning activities to fulfill and result in active, creative, innovative, effective and joyful learning. To achieve this, the teachers are expected to apply various techniques and media in teaching and learning process. This article tries to offer one possible solution to teaching academic English creatively, actively, and effectively, joyfully, and innovatively by integrating a Mind Mapping Technique (MMT) and Information Gap Activities (IGAs). There are five steps suggested in this integration: (a) Reading and note taking using MMT, (b) Swapping information, (c) Checking information, (d) Retelling Information, and (e) Summarizing and Translating. Gradual exercises applying this technique and activities will lead to the improvement of students’ English ability not only in reading but also in other skills.

Keywords: Academic English/Reading, Mind Mapping, Information Gap Activity

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