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kanjizai
Joined: 29 Jun 2003
Posts: 69
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 Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 5:03 am Post subject: Her problem isn't English |
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I have a student I have been working with for about 6 months and her English ability is suitable for doing business abroad, but she is unable to too. Her problem is the way she communicates. She seems to think it is a difference between her and her chinese colleagues but I think it is the logical order in which she states things. For example, Ill ask her a question and instead of answering the question, she will address what she thinks is implied by the question; which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but she does have a firm grip on how or when to use this properly. Also, she suddenly changes the topic in the middle of her sentence which makes it hard to follow what she is talking about.
I'm trying to think of ways to help her, but nothing seems to work. I'm not sure how much of this is just her personality or cultural upbringing. Whatever it may be , I would appreciate any suggestions about what I could teach her that would help her communicate more logically.
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BobbyBan
Joined: 05 Feb 2008
Posts: 201
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| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 5:48 am Post subject: Re: Her problem isn't English |
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| kanjizai wrote: |
| For example, Ill ask her a question and instead of answering the question, she will address what she thinks is implied by the question; which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but she does have a firm grip on how or when to use this properly. |
She does or doesn't have a firm grip on this?
Perhaps you could try and make some info-gap exercises in which you both have to search for very specific answers. For example, crosswords where you each have only half of the answers and the other student has to give clues to help you complete your side.
Or practice phone calls in which you each sit back to back and you can give her a message. Then practice asking her for the answers but only allow her to answer the information you specifically ask for.
You could also try exercises in which you have to give the precise ordering of an activity as well. Giving instructions on how to make a cup of tea, for example.
Of course, I am just trying to answer the question according to what is implied by it because I can't really know for sure what you are getting at. If you could give some specific examples either of what she complains about in regard to her Chinese colleagues or a specific example of where she has seemed to use bizarre logic then it may be easier to give better advice. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 12:04 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Her problem is the way she communicates. She seems to think it is a difference between her and her chinese colleagues |
What is the difference?
| Quote: |
| Ill ask her a question and instead of answering the question, she will address what she thinks is implied by the question |
Out loud? Sounds like Austin Powers when he was unfrozen and had no inner monologue. Kept saying aloud everything he thought. In your student's case, it can be VERY annoying. Nobody likes to hear what what is thinking to evaluate a conversation. Stop her when she does that. Tell her just to answer, no time for thinking. Almost like word association.
As for changing topic in the middle of a sentence, that's weird. I suggest recording her (or using the free software ChinSwing) to record herself answering a particular series of questions. Point out where she deviates. |
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