Effective eliciting

Eliciting is a term which describes a range of techniques which enable the teacher to get learners to provide information rather than giving it to them

Eliciting
Discovering
Realizing
Searching
Drawing out
Understanding

Eliciting is based on several premises:
Collectively, students have a great deal of knowledge, both of the language and of the real world. This knowledge needs to be activated and used constructively
The teaching of new knowledge is often based on what the learners already know
Questioning assists in self-discovery, which makes information more memorable.

Eliciting Vocabulary
An easy way to elicit vocabulary is by giving definitions.
Use synonyms to elicit vocabulary.
Using opposites (antonyms).
Use flashcards or pictures – visualize.

Eliciting Grammar
Use a situational dialogue, a drawing or modelling
Create some kind of context for the students
ask the students to give you examples
ask the students questions that require the answer using a particular grammatical form.
try telling the students the grammar point first and then asking them to give you some example sentences.

Reading
Predicting
headline or photos are used

Tips for eliciting
Eliciting is a basic technique and should be used regularly
Don't try to ‘pull teeth'.
Don't ask students to repeat incorrect answers, but ask a variety of students to repeat a good answer.
Acknowledge or give feedback to each answer
Provide sufficient context or information.
Learners can elicit from each other
At lower levels, more guided questioning is needed

How to elicit answers
Ask sensible questions.
Allow plenty of time – simply wait.
Ask a particular student.
Allow students to discuss the question in pairs– then ask the groups to report back.
Offer alternative answer.

The advantages of eliciting
in the EFL classroom

keeps the students alert
helps you realize if the students are listening and understanding or not
helps you find out what they already know
can mean more student talking time (STT)/ cut down on teacher talking time (TTT)
helps students learn how to guess
can show them how to work things out for themselves

The possible disadvantages of eliciting in the EFL classroom

can be time consuming
doesn't always lead to more STT
One student can dominate answering your elicitation questions
can be met by silence
can get boring/ repetitive
can seem childish/ patronizing
is a chance the wrong thing will be more memorable than the right one