Job Discussion Forums

[Javelin of Radiance]

My workload is pretty light at this school (10 periods per week till now), and for next term I guess they've decided to get their money's worth and have told me I might have to teach a couple of additional classes next term. Seems they want me to teach something related to current events which I'm kind of open to doing (it would keep me engaged I think).

I know current events isn't the strong suit of many students here but I'm trying to figure out how I might do this. My initial thoughts are:

1. Find a variety of news items (4-5 per week) and send them to the students a week in advance so they can read, review, and think about the topics.

2. In class discuss each topic for 10-15 minutes, then at the end introduce the topics for the following week.

3. Have a short quiz from time to time to test retention and knowledge.

4. I'm already familiar with these students and I'm aware that some or many of them will have zero interest in this, and I'd toy with the idea of weeding them out in Week 1 and telling them they'd get a pass for not showing up. It may not be fair to the rest but a smaller class will work better and the ones who do stick around should get a decent amount of speaking time and exposure to the real world.

That's all I've come up with so far. Any ideas? I've got multi-media at my disposal so there's lot's of potential here I think. FYI this school is currently looking for a couple of FTs, pay and bonuses are better than average if anyone's looking for new work. PM me.

[Mr. Leafy]

How long is each class? How many times a week does it meet? I have a few ideas.

[Javelin of Radiance]

[choudoufu]

[SledgeCleaver]

It fully depends on their level. If their level is what I'm guessing it is, you'll probably have to spice up your teaching with some literacy techniques, like text previews.

google "anticipation-reaction guide" as an example. For each article, come up with some questions put in "agree/disagree" or "strongly agree/agree/disagree/strongly disagree," then hopefully they will attack the article with some of your questions in mind. There are other types of text previews. If you're really into this idea, try to do some reading on "academic literacy," which basically means how to teach reading/literacy in a content classroom. (ie. "all teachers are reading teachers" and that sort of teaching philosophy).

You could also teach reading techniques like "hug" (highlight, underline, gloss) or "hug+q" (ie. question).

[SledgeCleaver]

[wangdaning]

I do weekly discussions with my classes once a week. I assign 3 articles on one topic the week before. To jolt the slackers I make them take notes and bring them to class. I check the notes before we begin, marking yes or no.

Another way to get them more involved would be to put them in groups and make them present the topic.

How many students per class?

[Simon in Suzhou]

Keep up to date on Chinese current events by reading www.chinasmack.com. Although it isn't always real news, it IS fairly accurate about what Chinese people are discussing on the internet and with their friends. It has been invaluable for staying connected with my college students and Chinese colleagues.

You will find that if it isn't China-related news, most Chinese students will be generally ignorant of what is happening elsewhere in the world, and they just won't care that much when you try to introduce them to these issues. They ARE very interested in discussing domestic current events if their English level affords them to do so. Just avoid trying to change their thinking. It's not worth it. In my mind, as long as they are practicing their English, whatever nationalistic opinion or group-think mentality about the news is not my place to critique.