Job Discussion Forums

[gaijinalways]

This semester has seen a few mishaps already affecting my classrooms; video equipment hard to come by (science uni with poor technical support), missing lesson plan book (of course my fault ), 'missing' textbooks at the bookstore, and a double class with repeaters (students who failed at least once before) which I wasn't told about (I was under the impression I would have two different groups for periods 2 and 3).

My question concerns the last area, what should I do with these students? If I had known ahead of time I would have the same group, that would have made things a lot easier, but that's not the case. The first class with them had me close to hitting the panic button as I realized I would have the same students coming back after lunch. There is a text for this class, but I am considering still doing the same amount of the text World Link Book 2 (1/2 for this semester) and supplementing a lot more for second period. Another idea is to do some group project work during period 3 (their second ninety minutes). Regardless I have to rewrite the syllabus and come up with more material (I also have 2 students from this same double period class in my last period class as well! ).

Most of these are typical uni students ranging in level from beginner to low intermediate. I have about 12 of them, all young ladies (it's a women's university). Any suggestions?

[Super Frank]

I know what you're saying, I just struggled through 60 mins as everything went TU from the start.
You could use the last hour for cultural studies perhaps, such as teaching songs, recipes, literature etc. Or you could concentrate on reading and writing. Or like you say think up a project for the end of term such as a play or concert.
Don't know if that helps.

[gaijinalways]

Thanks Frank, it's a start. Working on some singing is possible for pronunciation. I am also planning to use some English Language board games I have as well. I am almost thinking for these repeaters, having a 'lighter' 2nd 90 minute swould be useful, so that the students are not burned out. The play idea is not that far fetched (I've already had them doing some drama rehearsal, one scene) probably more likely a skit, literature would be far above their reading level, though a video about a story would be okay. A concert might be fun, getting each group of students to do one song. Maybe even a choice of one or the other or a test ?!

Now would semester long projects be better or perhaps a different project each month with the groups changing (as well as the projects)?

[Jizzo T. Clown]

Last semester I had graduate students for three consecutive hours a week and didn't have the luxury of a textbook. So I just went online before every class to find out the topic for the day. I also required one student to give a 30 minute presentation each week. Since they were education majors, this was easy (and useful) for them. Topics ranged from "My hometown" to "The at-risk child" to "Horoscopes" to "Squirrels on campus," some complete with PowerPoint slideshows.

That would be a way to kill an hour or so every week (if you have any sort of break, if not, give 'em a couple of 10 minute breaks to eat up some time). Find out what they're interested in and tailor your syllabus to that. If they're truly into the topics, the conversations could go on for quite some time.

[gaijinalways]

Thanks Jizzo, though remember these are undergraduate repeaters (they failed a class earlier). Giving long presentations would be beyond them. I'm going to try and dig up a few thing this weekend, though I am ill now, but Golden Week is looming !