Job Discussion Forums

[george61]

Just finished giving oral exams to all my Primary students.....God!, I'm cruel....tis the first time any of them have had this experience...and most of them froze solid.....The hardest part was trying to keep a straight face as I watched them. Everything we had done in class was completely gone..
"What is your name?"....".um...er....ahh..".."How old are you?"..".Fine thank you....and you?"
Some were good, of course, but the less outgoing kids certainly struggled. Made me remember when I was supposed to be learning French in High School...Ah well,at least they will be ready for it next time.Hopefully.

[Steiner]

Did you have them sitting under a heat lamp? Maybe they wouldn't be as nervous if you didn't keep zapping them with the cattle prod. I found that helped my students to relax last semester, no cattle prods.

It's disheartening to see them forget everything they've just learned.

[Roger]

I don't want to be rude, but questions such as "how are you?" and what's your name?" are utter nonsense that I leave to CHinese teachers to "examine".
Primary school kids need to learn how to respond in given situations, using English. Most of the time, this involves giving them English instructions. It is necessary to test whether they actually understand, and act according to my instructions. That's a meaningful dialogue.
For instance, I would tell a student to walk backward to the door. If he remains seated, then he obviously won't pass the test. Simple orders such as "Stand up!" and "Sit down!" take time for them to learn to react to appropraitely. Learning how to respond to an abstract question such as "how are you?" is beyond them! After all, they haven't learnt to say, "I am not well/happy today/...this is my problem..."
Just imagine: did your mom "teach" you English in such an alien way?
Well, nor do Chinese parents teach their kids Chinese in this fashion!

[george61]

Roger, I start the session with "good Morning. How are you?, as I start each class. I had hoped this would relax them, ie. something familiar and comfortable....but in some cases it didn't work. They can all say their names..and they can all say "Fine thank you. And you?" I am trying to break this habit,but as you know, it is ingrained.

[NumberOneSon]