In the initial stage of teaching, the teacher has to analyse the probable linguistic situations in which the learners may use the language. Next he has to analyse the probable behaviours/ activities that the learners may carry out in different situations. In order to conduct the behavioural analysis, the teacher must rely upon a set of parameters for describing the significant features of situations. These include:
the physical context in which the language event occurs,
the channel of communication (i.e. spoken or written),
whether the language activity is productive or receptive,
the number and the character of the participants,
the relationship between the participants, and
the field of activity within which the language event takes place.