{"id":2400,"date":"2025-07-15T00:03:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T22:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.englishexpert.de\/wp\/?p=2400"},"modified":"2025-07-15T22:28:40","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T20:28:40","slug":"instructions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.englishexpert.de\/wp\/2025\/07\/15\/instructions\/","title":{"rendered":"ELT Material Writing: Creating Clear Instructions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The instruction<\/strong> or rubric<\/strong> is very important to any language t<\/span>raining activity<\/strong>. It generally tells the language learner how to do a task<\/strong>. It is the first item<\/strong> that the learner will engage with. For example, in the following example, the interaction is described, as well as what the learners are expected to do. It is self-explanatory, and the trainer will only have to model the first question for weaker students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Learning how to write clear, concise instructions for language training tasks is essential. Unfortunately, a lot of material writers will neglect the importance of this. For example, you have been asked to edit materials for an A2 English class. A matching task in the lesson has the following instruction line:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We kindly request that you review both columns carefully and take the time to make connections between the words in column A and the words in column B. It is important to ensure that each word is properly matched and that you have considered the relationship between the words before making a final decision.<\/strong> \ud83d\ude32<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is pretty confusing, isn’t it? Now, compare this to a simplified “edited” version. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Match the words in column A with the words in column B.<\/strong> \ud83d\ude0a<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is easy and faster to understand. Let’s look at the differences in a bit more depth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Criteria<\/strong><\/td>Complex Version<\/strong> \u274c<\/td>Simple Version<\/strong> \u2705<\/td><\/tr>
Clarity<\/strong><\/td>Uses vague and wordy phrasing like \u201creview carefully\u201d, \u201cconsider the relationship\u201d, \u201cmake a final decision\u201d<\/em><\/td>Uses a clear action verb: \u201cMatch\u201d<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Length<\/strong><\/td>42 words \u2014 requires unnecessary time for the brain to process<\/td>10 words \u2014 processed almost instantly<\/td><\/tr>
Vocabulary difficulty<\/strong> <\/td>Includes B2\u2013C1 phrases like \u201cestablish connections\u201d, \u201ccontextual relationship\u201d, \u201censure proper matching\u201d<\/em><\/td>Uses A1\u2013A2 vocabulary appropriate for the CEFR level<\/td><\/tr>
Tone<\/strong><\/td>Overly formal and impersonal (\u201cwe kindly request\u2026\u201d)<\/td>Informal instructional style<\/td><\/tr>
Focus<\/strong><\/td>Burdens the learner with meta-cognitive processes (analyzing relationships, considering finality of decision)<\/td>Focuses directly on the action needed: matching<\/td><\/tr>
Cognitive load<\/strong><\/td>High germane load<\/strong> \u2014 learners use working memory to decode the instruction instead of preparing to do the task<\/td>Low germane load \u2014 allows immediate transition to the task<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n


With the simple version, learners focus their energy on the task<\/strong>, not on decoding what the teacher means. This is where the concept of cognitive load<\/strong> comes in. This is the mental effort needed to process learning material. If your instructions are too wordy, vague, or complex, the load increases, and learners have fewer cognitive resources left for the actual task. In this scenario, no learning can take place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the magic ingredients of good instructions? They are Clarity<\/strong>, Length<\/strong>, Relevance<\/strong>, and Consistency<\/strong>. Let’s look at these individually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clarity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This reduces cognitive load because the students can focus on doing the task and not wasting time deciphering the difficult instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n