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

I'm about to round-up a course. Eating out isn't possible during the last lesson, so it's got to be some games and activities. Please share your best tips.

These are two groups (elementary beginners and elementary) of 6-8 (depending on their attendance) people. They have worked together for quite some time and know each other rather well. They're adults working at a rehabilitation centre for people with physical disabilities.

MO39 · Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 4:32 pm Post subject: Re: Last Lesson Activities

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

with my last lesson groups.....i am asking them to present a newsdesk type show where they can retell and report on experiences during the course.....we then video it, and i can edit it and post on you tube....

i know this isn much in way of a 'game', but it has been a nice way to wrap up a group

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

Whatever you do, I hope you provide them with a feedback survey so you know how to improve the course next time.

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

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

I don't see your logic, Kootvela. Students are students. The information they can provide in the way of feedback is priceless. You might actually be surprised at some of their responses.

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

Yes. 'More games, less grammar'. I know Lithuanian reality quite well by now. No questionnaires if I can help it.

wulfrun · Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 167

hi kootvela. hope your summer course has gone well. just finished mine.

mostly inapplicable for elementary, but here are some ideas we had for final lessons:

- vote for american-style "most likely to..." nominations. make a list of ten "most likely to..." sentences (most likely to teach english, most likely to become leader of a country), and have students vote.

- each other's futures. each student has to complete the sentences "Next week I'm going to...", "Next year I'm going to...", and "In ten years I'm going to...". they prepare in writing. once finished, they mingle, asking about each others' futures.

- reflect on the course. best bits, worst bits, funniest, most difficult, most useful.

- if they're all going their separate ways, do the email/Facebook list as an activity, and write up on the board. you can offer to send round a group email with everybody's contact details.

MO39 · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:17 pm Post subject:

Regarding the usefulness of end-of-the-course student evaluations: I haven't done this in a while, but I seem to remember that most students were reluctant to say really bad things about the course, so most of the comments were positive. Every class had a couple of students who hated you and a couple of others who thought you were the best teacher ever (!), and their comments reflected this. I'm speaking of adults only - never did the student survey thing with teenagers or children.

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

Hi wulfrun.

Yeah, the little anklebiters are done (away with, tee hee hee!) and one private student and a couple of groups are left. Finally finishing this week. Yesterday was a no-show event which sent me home an hour earlier than usual, which I'm not complaining about, really!

I will probably do a contact list, future predictions, general chit-chat, nominations and a game board.

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

It doesn't always happen on the last day, but I always have my students do some kind of self-reflection (I work with K-12ers). Most recently I was teaching a Reading & Writing class to high school students in Mexico, so I had them write responses to questions such as:
1) What assignment are you most proud of this year? Why?
2) If you could re-do one assignment, which would it be? Why?
3) In which area did you see the most improvement this year? Describe the improvement.
4) In which area do you most need to continue improving next year? What strategies will you use to improve?

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

We ate a cake and drank wine. Wasn't too bad Smile

Teacher in Rome · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286

Having worked more or less exclusively with adults, and then often teaching business English, I find end of course questionnaires invaluable. As Glenski says, the feedback is often priceless.

But I also really like Jetgirly's evaluation ideas for K12 students. Getting students to reflect on their learning and progress can only help them become better learners.

So my question is: at what age can you start giving questionnaires?

MO39 · Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 1:42 pm Post subject:

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