Job Discussion Forums

[adrianeire]

I am starting my first job on monday(2nd Oct). 1 hour a day until next June
These kids will be having their first english classes with my but in my TEFL college I just worked with 14 to 18 yr olds.
Can anyone point me in the right direction as regards what to start off with and how not to make them nervious. I have a basic knowledge of what to start with, ie introductions,numbers etc but I want things to get off to a good start.
Cheers
Adrian

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

Have a self introduction class in which they introduce themselves to you, but more importnantly, you show them pictures of your home town, foods eaten there, bring various things from where you lived to show them. Stuffed toys - animals native to where you're from usually go over well.

For example I'm from Toronto, Ontario, Canada so in mine I have pictures of the CN Tower, Niagra Falls (which isn't really in Toronto, but it's close), Niagra Falls all lit up at night, my family's house. My family members (including the pets), my hobby in Canada (Camping- so pictures of Algnquin Provincial Park, where I went camping- a picture of the family canoe) stuffed toys (Canadian Goose, Beaver, Moose) with a little bit of information about each one, etc

I also add in my favourite Japanese foods and favourite cartoon show that they are likely to know (Power Puff Girls).

Then with any time remaining, we play a game.

It helps an aweful lot if you can speak the local language to at least an upper intermediate level.

Really small kids may not undertand the "world" so using a world map may not be a great idea for tiny kids.

[Chancellor]

Change activities about every five minutes or so.

[TheLongWayHome]

Bribe them with candy. Sounds like crowd control.

[MeiYu]

I'm teaching 6 year olds too....
they are Chinese, and they know NO English.

i use a LOT of physical actions and expressions (facial), which they respond to. and loads of TPR in the class as well. acting out a word helps them process it.

i just did some emotions and descriptive adjectives, which they loved...they acted out each word. and played games, having them act out a word i called out, or i acted out something and they had to call it.

fun and they got it. i only gave them a few words each class....keeps them from being overwhelmed.

i dont use candy, as it hypes them up too much. i put them all in teams and award stars on the board for behavior and answers. i don't even hand out prizes....i will, at random, give them prizes. that way they don't start expecting rewards all the time. and it makes it seem more special.

and yes, switch activities often...i do silly things like counting out loud, or drawing pictures on the board for them to guess, i also started writing simple words on the board for them to guess/read.

i also gave them all little notebooks for writing time. they write down a word and a picture for any words we learn. it takes up some time, and it helps them to be able to physically write the word, draw the picture, say the word and act it out.

im babbling. hope there is something in here for you!


good luck.