Job Discussion Forums

[smellymelly]

I am responsible for leading English corner each week and need some new ideas. Usually we have at least 60 students and we divide them into groups of 10. do you have any game/activity ideas? good topics?

[brsmith15]

RUN AwAY!!

[fitzgud]

And run fast, for they will chase you to ask "where are you from?" not, "where are you going?"

[sui jin]

I suggest you shift the burden to the students. Choose the most outgoing students and the best English speakers, and ask them to find interesting word games and activities. Meet them before the session to plan what to do. Ask your helpers to lead the discussion in the smaller groups.

In a neighbouring college last year there was an excellent American FT and I helped on some of her English corners. To give an example, she would start off with a topic (eg sports), tell them the importance of baseball in American life, teach sports idioms and phrases on the board, play a team game (in this case "baseball" with general knowledge questions), then break into small groups to discuss sports and hobbies , with the group leaders asking each person several written questions.

But she had taught for several years in China and had lots of stuff prepared! Otherwise you're going to knock yourself out every week coming up with interesting things to do.

[vikuk]

[brsmith15]

sui jin is right. Shift it. Otherwise you'l be stuck with the same stuff we've all had to suffer thru. If you're put on the spot with any questions about Taiwan, Tibet, Tinnamen (The 3 t's) back away fast. That means there's a commie fink in the class. Just say that you don't know anything about the subjects.

Once when I was really pinned to the wall about Taiwan, I asked the class this question: "What kind of people are in Taiwan?" The answer "Chinese people." "I think you have your answer."

Sort of like when Jesus was asked about paying taxes. Thanks to him!!

[Buck Lin]

I usually go to the corner and put my head in it. I show them that my head is square. I then take out my rubic cube and show them that I am an imbecile who can't do anything requiring cerebral skill. For the rest of the two hours I ask reciprical questions. Do you like Chinese food? Yes do you like Chinese food? Do you like China? Yes Do you like China? At the end I sing OH Canada and show them how to shoot a slap shot.

[theincredibleegg]

Teach them card tricks or something

[Mister Al]

[Buck Lin]

Do the corner and make a friend or make friends. Stay away from the three T's and tell them why you must not talk about them. IT STIPULATED IN MY CONTRACT. English corners are a problem here for the autorities and you will notice this with people who watch you. But they are fun and it is the best way to teach English. I love China.

[platinum peyote]

Go to listverse.com, find some interesting lists, print it and make copies, go through the list in EC, make funny comments, teach new vocab, make students laugh, get phone numbers from ladies after class, and go get free dinners.

[therock]

The reason most students go to English corner is to be entertained by the foreigner. It is a waste of time trying to put them into groups. Basically they just want you to talk and for them to ask stupid questions.

[rmcdougall]

I like to talk about LOVE.

What is it?

Why can it go beyond the ages?

[Buck Lin]

I found the most productive way to do them when you are alone is to play a movie and talk about it after. This way you avoid questions like. " Do you like Japanese people?" Free talking with strangers and many people listening can get you into trouble anywhere.

[kungfucowboy83]

i would often introduce a discussion topic and have them debate it in small groups then have each group select a representative to report back their ideas. i almost never talked the whole time myself (well unless i was asked about one of the few topics i get a bit wound up about).

It saves your voice and energy and makes them practice speaking english.