Job Discussion Forums

Kootvela · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 513 Location: Lithuania

I have been teaching a student who wanted conversation classes from September. I have been using a number of the Internet websites but I feel that the topics are finally becoming limited. We have been having individual lessons for 1,5 hour so that is pretty much intensive and she's intermediate.

I'm going to buy some books for conversation classes. I know two: Discuss it in English and Taboos and Issues. However, since they are expensive, I would like to buy a few more and get them shipped in bulk, so I don't have to buy again. Have you taught from the two mentioned book and what is your opinion about how teachable/ discussable they are? Could you add some more books on my list to consider?

Thanks!

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

i wonder if the point has come where you really don't need books anymore?

Tom Le Seelleur · Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 242

Hi Kootvela

Reward Bus Resource Pack Starter
Reward Bus Resource Pack Elementary
Reward Bus Res Pack Pre-intermediate
Reward Bus Res Pack Intermediate
Reward Bus Res Pack Upper Intermediate
Clockwise Elementary Teacher's Resource Pack
Clockwise Pre-Inter Teacher's Resource Pack
Clockwise Inter Teacher's Resource Pack
Clockwise Upper-Inter Teacher's Resource Pack
Clockwise Advanced Teacher's Resource Pack

These are relatively cheap and used a lot here in Al Ain. I have also used them very suceesfully with all ranges of students, ages, language need, both general EFL and ESP. They are a lot of and save you zillions of hours of prep

Tom

blackmagicABC · Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 68 Location: Taipei

You can also not use language books.
You could use books that are in the students field of interest. Discussing or learning in English woudl be more appropriate for the student if she is good enough to discuss it without guidance.

Kootvela · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 513 Location: Lithuania

Well, I DO need some material to base my lessons on, so having photocopiables seems just what I need. I'm tired of browsing the Internet and then adapting the material myself all the time; I'm looking for something ready-made.

I will suggest starting a book in English, so we can discuss chapter by chapter but I'm not sure this is what my student will like.

blackmagicABC · Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 68 Location: Taipei

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

Black magic has elaborated on my response. We don't know the exact level of your student. Should have new vocabulary words each time, a topic of interest. if you develop topics of interest, this may also lead your student to wanting to read english books (for pleasure) if you get your student to that point, teaching becomes easier and more interesting. you can also watch short movie clips.
Beginners need a text book to cling to, but as the student progresses, many things can be done with minimal textbook use

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Have you considered what most teachers do? Contact the publishers. They usually give free copies for inspection, too.

Pearson Longman
Thomson (now Cengage)
Oxford
Cambridge
Macmillan Languagehouse
McGraw Hill

Kootvela · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 513 Location: Lithuania

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

In a pinch, if you haven't already done this, you might get a couple of 1.5 hour lessons out of the weather page of USA Today. It's good for travel (past and future), weather (obviously: hot, warm, cool, cold, etc. and clothing needed for prevailing conditions).

Actually this particular newspaper, being US-style (short, snappy, lots of photos - Americans have short attention spans, apparently Shocked

) is pretty useful across the board.

However, it's probably only good for three or four lessons, if that - and assuming it's available in your area.

I sympathise with your wish for some longer-term prepared materials. And to have something your student can take home both before and after lessons can really move the learning process along.

Good luck finding something suitable. I'd be interested if you come up with something that you like.

johnslat · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:35 pm Post subject: Ten-hut

Deasr spiral78,

"Americans have short attention spans, apparently."

I protest - on behalf on Canadians, Mexicans, and Central and South Americans everywhere.

And I'd probably protest the rest of your post, too - but it was WAY too long for me to read.

Regards,
John

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

^ note

In the link above, there should be a letter 'g' after the 'or'

i.e., http://www.manythings.org/voa/rss

I check links for a living. Laughing

blackmagicABC · Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 68 Location: Taipei

Kootvela · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 513 Location: Lithuania

I wish I could look at the books you all recommend before buying but I'm afraid that is not possible. In terms of ELT materials, much of interesting and not mainstream books have to be bought online.

I will probbaly use Amazon.com. Can you recommend any other good traders for ELT materials? It would be better located in the USA since the dollar is cheaper now and I could afford buying from the USA rather than from Europe and pay in Euros.