Hello,
I never use textbooks, but write "scenarii" for my classes ; it takes a long time, but it�s worth doing it because you can always adapt to your kids ;-) . These lessons are never grammar-based , even if I teach grammar of course...As you need oral communication only, I won�t bother you with " my written missions." What I call a "mission" ( or final task, is what the students will be able to do at the end of chapter. Examples of missions for 1st & 2nd years ( 11 to 13 year-old ones ):
* You are a reporter& you must present the weather forecast�"
* You are a journalist for the school magazine ( which is real ;-) : Interview our foreign students about their family / pets / hobbies/etc..
* Your parents would like to swap houses for the holiday with a British family ; they can�t speak English. Help them give information & describe your house & neighbourhood ( chat ; Skype )
* Web radio ( we have one at school ) ; Go around town & ask people about climate change ( quiz written in class beforehand ..). Come to our radio station & debate.
* etc....
There are plenty of ideas - the only thing which I find difficult is ...TIME ! :-)))
+ You have to know the Curriculum & adapt your projects so that , at the end of the year, your students will have learnt a lot ( and not just...had fun , even if it�s important ! )
There are plenty of ideas of so-called "Missions" or "Projects" on the Net ( but time consuming here as well ;-))) What I really like about these is that �"teaching makes sense"...
Good luck ;-)
Val
edit : + You can use excellent role-plays, just like this one :
