Job Discussion Forums

[Lee_Marrero]

Hi Everyone,

I am leaving for Asia this Sunday and would appreciate any suggestions you could provide to me regarding shopping for teaching aides while I am still here in the US. I have been away from teaching for some time now but I do recall the frustration I encountered while overseas at the difficulty in obtaining material. I have picked up world/us maps, simple basic "teen type" novels, laminated pronoun guides, childrens magazines and a few videos. Those wh are curretnly overseas please help me complete my shopping.

Thanks
Lee

[Canuck2112]

I still have yet to go to Asia so I can't help you directly, but a friend of mine who spent several years in Japan recommended the following:

-Pipecleaners
-Laminated Bingo Games (can be used for a variety of activities)
-Menus from your home country
-ANYTHING related to American pop culture
-Travel brochures

[scot]

if youre at a conversation school i found that kitchy little arts and crafts and oddball stuff from your region goes over huge. for example, i'm from illinois and i couldve spent a year making corncob pipes with them. even housewives and grandpas, they like the regional flavor stuff (cowboys, deep south, gangs/gangsters) and pictures pictures pictures.

[Shonai Ben]

I would suggest a map of your local area and a map of your country.Also try to bring pictures of the local wildlife,summer pictures and winter pictures,and local newspapers and popular magazines.I would also suggest that you show your students your currency,whether it be coins or paper money.They love this stuff.

[TokyoLiz]

Stuff to bring -

Brochures, picture postcards, cheapo calendars with pictures of your city in different seasons, something crafty that can be made quickly and easily that's distinct in your region, touristy maps of your city, your region and your country, state/province flags, small souvenir thingies, paper money or coins blown up big on a colour copier, pictures of famous people from your region, traditional or pop music from artists in your region.

I'm from western Canada, so I brought things like Bryan Adams and Sarah Mclachlin music on CD, free picture calendars produced by a real estate agency, big colour copied pictures of 3 of Canada's coins, big maps with tourist sights on them, and a colour souvenir book in Japanese all about my home town, from which I have made big photocopied pictures to use in the classroom.

I wish I had brought more local music to teach in class, some menus from Denny's (filled with food pictures) and my favorite restaurants, more craft supplies for Easter and Halloween and Christmas and more recipes for local food.

Good luck in your preparations!