Job Discussion Forums

[azarashi sushi]

Hi Everyone... This year I'm teaching some senior high first year oral communication classes. The level of the students is kind of low(ish) and classes are just once a week. There is no set curriculum or text. The school is pretty laid back and they've said that pretty much anything is OK. I'm using various sources for materials but basing around "Talk a Lot" and "Now You're Talking".

What texts are others using? Are there any that you strongly recomend? Also if there are any activities that you've had success with, I'd be interested to hear.

Thank you in advance for your help.

A.S.

[Brooks]

I tried 50/50 by Longman. I used the first book. It was ok.
But it was easy for some of them.

This year I am thinking of writing an article about textbooks for high school students. One book I am using is for university freshmen, but I wish there were books just for teenagers.

I have used Impact Listening by Longman, which isn`t bad.
I guess it is ok for bigger classes. The thing is, you can only do so much listening practice before kids gets restless.
This year every is different. I have my third boss in three years, and I was told to do grammar, specifically the present perfect and relative clauses through mid-June. Ok, I said, but as long as the students get listening and speaking practice. The students are in the higher English classes, so I will see how it goes. Learning the past participles is dull, but useful.

[guest of Japan]

In my current school I use "Expressways" by Kairyudo. It seemed to be the best of the Japanese produced texts that I've been able to look at.

In my previous school I used "Side by Side." If you have time to compose with a photocopier it's not too hard to make speaking activities for low level students.

I have yet to find a book I really love, but I've found a lot I really hate.

[Sweetsee]

Hi Azarashi Sushi,


I have been using Marathon Mouth from intercom press. I like it a lot. It's a student-centered, grammar based communicative text.

Also, I use a token system where students receive tokens when they speak English and when they have 10 they turn them in and I give them a mark in my book.

Wereabouts are you teaching at?


Enjoy yourself,
s

[Glenski]

Have used Talk A Lot! with great success. Keep at it.

[azarashi sushi]

Hi S!

I'm teaching at a private co-ed senior high just near Shinjuku ... I don't want to say the name (never can be too sure!)... But anyway it's a beautiful school, the J-teachers are really laid back and the classes are a dream. My students this morning in one class kept telling me, "We like you! We like you! ... And we love English!" ... So at least we're off to a positive start!

How are those monsters in Dasaitama you were teaching?

[Sweetsee]

Brother in Arms,

Funniest thing about those kids, seems there is justice in the world. Their new homeroom teacher is the women's gym teacher and you know what that means. You never seen anything so funny as the expressions on their faces at the assembly when homeroom teachers were announced. They are no doubt up to the same with some teachers, the new French teacher was already lamenting to me but evidently they are scared to death of the gym teacher, which means they actually sit quietly in class with her.

I had serious doubts concerning the integrity of the school last year but it seems that they dealt accordingly with the situation. Kocho- sensei told me the other day that last years' problems were not solely my responsibility--no kidding, eh? That and many others have come to me asking if things are going better this year and expressing their relief for me, very kind and goes a long way to restoring my faith.

I still can't get used to teaching without results but I press on.

Your school sounds killer! Are you contracted with the school or dispatched?



Fight the good fight,
s