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[askiptochina]

The school I work for has this 2 week summer thing going on. I teach at a public school during the school year. So, I haven't seen these kids before who are coming to this program. For 4th, 5th, and 6th grade they are using Side By Side book 1. Isn't this more for beginner adults? The school said it's no problem and that the students already understand the words, which is true. However, things like "washing my car" or "cleaning my house" are not 100% in sync with an elementary school student. The examples don't fit a kid's understanding. Geography in the book is way beyond them.

In addition to this, I am instructed not to teach writing. They say this is a speaking only class, and they come for 2 hours. Well. for 1 hour or so, it's not a problem. Then, the kids kind of tune out. My feeling is that this happens more with another class of middle school students. They are using the Interchange book (which seems just as hard to connect with). Examples in that book deal with comparing cities and whether or not there needs to be more or less cars. This is not something I was concerned about as a middle schooler.

So, I am trying to bridge the gaps with all this, and I am getting the typical parent complaints we read about. No big deal there, but it's the high school student class that has me baffled.

We are to use no books and talk only, no writing. That's fine actually, I wouldn't want them to waste time writing in class. So, I thought it would be a good idea for them to write something (short) and bring it into class, like writing about their favorite sports figure or movie star. Nope!! I was instructed today that Chinese already have a "system" and they are already learning words. Really? Why can't they say them then (with bad pronunciation)? Because they actually don't know the words. So, my crazy brain is telling me to give them time at home and write something.

Every suggestion like this has been rejected. Then we talked about the younger kids. One parent wanted me to sing songs with the kids. I am more of an arts and crafts person, I don't like to sing and dance. I have had success (mostly in Korea) with this, and instead of singing "Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" I would have students make a martian or monster with different body parts and talk about them. Again, NO! This is somehow unacceptable by the school.

So, what is the Chinese "system"? I told the school that I don't teach the way they are setting this summer thing up. I am not used to 2 hour blocks with students using unmatched books or no books at all. Usually older students write something and then we go over it in class. The younger students do some activity related to the lesson. As far as games, I don't think the Chinese "system" is all about games, but that is one thing I try to do. Students just don't play the game. They treat it more like an exercise. So, I have a hard time getting them to enjoy it as a game. Older students are half and half. Usually it takes a few rounds before they understand.

[rogerwilco]

Role playing is what I would do in your situation.
I warm up the class by speaking for a few minutes, and then
explain role playing to them.
I have about 20 suggested role plays that I give to the
students, and then let them burn up the rest of the first hour planning their role plays.
The second hour is when they can do their role playing.

You can also do pronunciation drills at the beginning and end of each class.
Listen to their pronunciation during the role plays, and then do drills on the words that they mispronounce after they finish.

[askiptochina]

[rogerwilco]

What do they expect you to do for 2 hours ?
Give a lecture ? Have you speak for the entire 2 hours ?

The students can still do role playing without writing down the dialogue.
It will be difficult for them, but it can be done

You can also have the students interview each other, and then give a story using the information about the classmate that they interviewed.
It will be difficult for the students if they cannot write, but it is something to do until the two weeks is over.

You can also do charades and spelling contests.
Are the students even allowed to write down one word on the board for a spelling contest ?

Have you asked the students what they would like to do in the class ?
Asking them one by one will at least burn up some class time.

[GuestBob]

[Miles Smiles]