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how can flow chart be taught in an english class?

example

how can you show preparing to  interview a person via a flow chart

or

preparing to write a news story using  a flow chart 

The way I would approach this is not to teach the students, but to create an assignment where they teach me and each other. If I were you, I'd capitalize on the prior knowledge that they already have about flow charts. Teach your "regular" lesson on interviewing, news stories, etc. Then the assignment for the students would be for them to develop an flow chart that teaches the concept. They could work in pairs, groups, or individually. I'd take it a step further and have them present their flow charts via multimedia presentation, such as PowerPoint.

There are so many great blank flow charts on the Internet and in teacher supply stores. I like to find and/or create several different blank ones for the same assignment. My hope is that the students will find one that they can best use. Then, I model the use of the flow chart with a very simple sample assignment on the overhead. For instance, to teach an interview maybe I would interview the big bad wolf. I realize my students are beyond The Three Little Pigs but it helps in modeling to have something very familiar so they are not trying to learn too many new things at once. We do the flow chart together so they can see where information goes and how it helps in organizing. Then, I give them their assignment, let them choose what type of flow chart to use and they set out on their own.

I teach special education students, so it seems to be most helpful to design direct instruction around the use of a flow chart before incorporating the use of the flow char into any assignment.  This allows students to first develop the knowledge and skills necessary to use the flow chart for the appropriate purposes, so that when they come across a lesson in my class or in any other class, they have a clear foundation of knowledge as to the specific use of the flow chart.  I do the same with most graphic organizers.  As my students get more and more familiar with using the flow chart, then I can implement its use in classroom lessons and activities knowing that my students know exactly what I am talking about when I even mention "flow chart" to them.  Using the flow chart to conduct and interview, to identify major events in a passage or novel, or any other task will then be much easier for my students.