Job Discussion Forums

[nat_capelli_rossi]

I'm currently teaching a group of shy and jet lagged teens from Taiwan who are in Toronto for a summer exchange program. I feel that I've made some progress with getting the kids to talk more, and to be more social, but I still feel that getting them to speak is like pulling teeth. Does anyone have any suggestions for motivating students aged 13-17?

I like to keep my class as active as possible (it's boring just sitting at a desk for 3 hrs!) I would appreciate if anyone who had some brilliant ideas about keeping the kids active (and using English at the same time)

They're quite advanced in their written and reading comprehension, but their speaking skills are lacking...shyness, culture shock, etc. doesn't help....but they're a great bunch of kids, and I would like to make their month stay as enjoyable as possible.

Thanks for your suggestions and help in advance! Much appreciated!

[Aussie Chick]

Are there any local teenagers in TO who are willing to come and visit the class? Maybe have a few classes where all the kids can talk about things they like and hopefully, have in common eg music, movies, PS2, computers etc?

That way, the Taiwanese kids get to meet some other kids their own age, hopefully, as I said, with the same interests, and may encourage them to practise the English they've learnt so far!

[eslstudies]

Nat, I don't know if this is your first experience with Chinese [as in PRC/Taiwan] students, but passivity is what they've been taught. Also, losing face comes from being adventurous/risk taking. Putting them into small groups with a discussion task-try to encourage English speaking only-with some sort of group presentation at the end will force them to be more adventurous. Word games will work well: kids scrabble for eg. Also, Lifeboat type games. If needed, the dreaded word "kao shi" [exam] will spur them into action!

Yes, they want to have fun. They've been in a cycle of lecture, test, tutoring, exams and homework for 14 hours a day over the last 5 months. Excursions, DVDs with clear, simple English subtitles followed by discussion, and the previous poster's suggestion are all ways to go.

[coffeedrinker]

I like that onion-circle set up - half stand in a circle with their backs to the center, the other half find a pair with one of those and stand facing them. They speak for 2 minutes or whatever, then one of the circles moves so each person has a new partner. Sometimes I give them questions, or the goal could be to find three things in common with the partner, or you could give out the same theme for everyone at each interval.

I think it's nice because they are standing up and moving, if only a little bit (so it seems less like class) and they are all talking at once so there is less pressure.

I've also had some good feedback on roleplays. I haven't taught a lot of people in that age group - but they younger people I have worked with (plus lots of adults) don't mind the opportunity to "be someone else" - if you come up with a few situations like teenager-parent (teenager crashed the car or wants to go on holiday w friends), teacher-student (something funny), boss-employee (employee lies about being sick, boss is suspicious, etc.). Sometimes I give each group a couple and tell them they will have to share the best one with the group - but if this will just make them nervous, you could just mention one from each group that was good, funny, whatever.

[nat_capelli_rossi]

Wow! Thanks sooo much for the suggestions! I think bringing in Canadian students would be cool...there's actually a summer camp starting for native speakers next week, so maybe I could set up a cultural exchange w/ the other teacher.

This is my first time teaching ESL; just got my B. Ed...Canadian kids are much more rowdy and chatty, so this is quite different for me. Another thing is that they're all Mandarin speakers, so they can communicate amongst themselves quite easily...It would be easier in some ways if they all spoke a diff lang.

I will cont. using the small group discussions, b/c I do like it, but the kids often speak only in Mandarin...even when they speak Mandarin to each other, they're sooo shy! Their age group 13-17 is also a factor, b/c I remember all too clearly being unenthusiastic....

I'm going to have a movie day every Friday, so they continue getting an English overload....thanks again for all the suggestions!

[eslstudies]

[Girl Scout]

Is it possible to get them out of the classroom. If they have to complete a task in the "real" English enviroment they might open up a little. You could also assign homework where they have to go out on the weekend.

[eslstudies]

Remember with the movie: clear, accurate English subtitles. No subs, you'll lose them. Chinese subs, you may as well play Chinese language as well.
A hint. "Holes" [Disney] is great for that age group, as is "Stand By Me".

[nat_capelli_rossi]

I'm actually thinking of going for a walk w/ them to a mall/grocery store (not to the Chinese plaza that is literally across the street fr. the school!!!! ) that way they'll have to speak English, and hopefully use some of the diction we've gone over in class.

eslstudies, you read my mind! thanks for the movie suggestions! I was ready to give up last nite, as it was impossible to find anything that was appropriate to show in class! thanks a bunch! a great way to start my wkend...

[kazron]

Going for a walking tour sounds like a great idea- maybe if you had the time you could go to both an English sector, and that mini-China town you were describing? Cross-cultural comparisons could give the students a chance to teach you a few things- in English of course~