Job Discussion Forums

[esl_prof]

The first day of school--at least for many of us--is coming up in a few weeks. So with that in mind, what do you do on the first day of class?

[Sashadroogie]

Isolate the splitters and bourgeois trouble-makers, and send them east.

[spiral78]

'Normal stuff:' in no particular order here-
Contextualize the course, make sure they know what they have to do to pass, bit of review when applicable, establish purposes of course and major tasks, introduce self as regards applicable stuff (they don't need my personal details and I don't want theirs unless they impact the work/class in some way). Invite questions.
'Possibly less common:' we teach cohorts and they know each other, so omit student introductions.

[nomad soul]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG_5kVaV2fg

[spanglish]

Apart from first-day class business, I used to draw a terrible map of the United States to show them where I'm from and lead into a conversation on places and my background, elicit questions they can ask about my life and put them on the board, then have them ask their partner the same questions. Monitor for general level, put them at ease, walk around and get to know them individually, have fun.

[scot47]

Give them the usual lecture on "Mood and Tense in Modern Spoken English". When they are safely asleep take out "The Sporting Post" and choose the day's winners.

Evelyn Waugh's trick was to set an essay on "What I did in the Holidays" with a prize for the longest entry. paying no attention to literary or other merit.

[esl_prof]

Thanks for sharing everyone!

My response: ice breaker, first day diagnostic (a departmental requirement), and syllabus review.

Oh, yes, and I usually wear a tie to make a positive first impression.