Job Discussion Forums

bawny34 · Joined: 24 Apr 2014 Posts: 45

Hi everyone,

I recently started teaching a one-to-one elementary class with an adult (a fifty-something male).

Although I have taught a lot of low-level kids classes, it is my first time teaching an adult at elementary level.

I am just wondering if anyone has any good suggestions on activities that works well with this age-group (keeping in mind the level and the fact that it is a one-one lesson).

So far, I have been working through our book and trying to do some supplementary activities, but finding it quite tricky.

Any advice welcome Smile

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I used to like the back page of the international edition of USA today, which features a map with current temperatures indicated by colour. It was cool for a lot of purposes - places you've been, want to go. What did you take when you went? What did you do there? What was the food like? Temperatures, weather obviously.
I could get a full five or six hours out of this with a low-level adult student. Mind, I haven't had a project like this in some years; there may be better ways to do it by now!

bawny34 · Joined: 24 Apr 2014 Posts: 45

Thanks Spiral.

That's a pretty cool idea. He does like travel, so that helps!!!

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

You might also maximize the benefits by asking him to plan in advance something to tell you about.
Show him the map, ask him to choose a place he's been, and tell him that next time, you want him to tell you in English:
how he got there
where he stayed and what it was like
what he did while there
what food he ate
what was the weather like
how long did he stay
would he go back again?
recommend that you go there? why/why not?

and on and on - you get the idea! It just gives you more meat to chew on if they prepare a bit in advance at least. Probably best to write out what you want to know, actually.

esl_prof · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2014 5:01 pm Post subject:

I Speak English by Ruth Colvin has some good activities that might work well for one-on-one instruction.

http://www.amazon.com/Speak-English-Ruth-J-Colvin/dp/0930713281

Also, check out the Laubach Way to English series.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=%22Laubach+way+to+english%22&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3A%22Laubach+way+to+english%22[/i]

BadBeagleBad · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2014 6:26 pm Post subject:

Also, ask him what his goals are for learning English. If it is for business, then I would include things that will be helpful in that area - polite ways to answer and make phone calls, emails, that kind of things. There are two good books you might want to look at for that Email English and Telephone English, very useful. If he wants English for travel, then the focus might be slightly different. Obviously, you want him to talk talk talk, keep track of his mistakes and reinforce areas he is weak in, regardless of his goals/focus.

adaruby

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2014 7:09 am Post subject:

What are you finding tricky, exactly? The student being an adult? The course book? Types of activities?

bawny34 · Joined: 24 Apr 2014 Posts: 45

Dedicated · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 972 Location: UK

What is the student's first language?

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2014 4:09 pm Post subject:

Use the teacher's books from other series, e.g. English File. Plenty of photocopiable material to be pillaged like that.

Also International Express has some good functional language material for students who travel/ socialise on business trips. Businessy in parts, but in the main suitable for general tourism.

But what do you mean by engaging? Remember that what is dull for us might be very valuable for the learner. So long as he is learning something, lessons don't have to be all wow moments...

bawny34 · Joined: 24 Apr 2014 Posts: 45

Hi Sasha,

Thanks for that.....

Yeah, I guess you're right.....I think what I have been teaching him so far has been valuable to him, it's just a matter of getting used to working with such a low level and the fact that there is a limit to what I can do with him.

I just want to make sure I'm not missing out on valuable resources that are available.

Thanks Smile

water rat · Joined: 30 Aug 2014 Posts: 1098 Location: North Antarctica

There's the old and classic Streamline Departures. Here are some videos (audios) for it.
http://cn.bing.com/videos/search?q=streamline+departures&FORM=HDRSC3
and where to buy
http://www.viney.uk.com/streamline/sl_isbn.htm
or
http://www.index-of-mp3s.com/download/mp3/lagu/id/d411ab76/new-american-streamline-departures/