Job Discussion Forums

[kita]

I was recently pressured into taking on private lessons for an ES homeroom teacher. She has a very low level of English and doesn't seem to have any sort of learning goal other that to 'learn English'. I am an ALT, but have done a few private lessons before. However, those lessons were with adults who had functional English and very specific learning goals.

I have no idea where to start with teaching a low level adult learner. My own Japanese is only low intermediate/advanced beginner so I foresee some serious communication issues. She also seems incredibly unwilling to speak in English for someone who sought out a private tutor. The lesson is for 1 hour every other week. Does anyone have any advice or a decent coursebook you would recommend? Or, even better, know any decent online resources with printable lessons plans and materials geared towards adults? I've searched the forum and seen a few recommendations for Interchange and Face to Face and the like, but I'm not sure I want to invest in systems like that for a 1 hour 2 twice a month gig. I've also looked at ESL Library but it's hard to tell if its worth the subscription cost from the limited amount preview materials.

[mitsui]

What kind of book do you prefer? British or American?

For people that don`t talk, focus on listening, grammar and vocabulary.
Reading and writing is fine too.

[kita]

American would be best.

[marley'sghost]

I'd start with some sort of a self-introduction lesson. Sometimes I use a set of questions in Japanese, have the student ask me them in English (or draw pictures, gestures, whatever gets the job done). Sometimes I'll present a question, "I'm not from Tokyo. What city am I from?" and have them make 5 guesses. Stuff like that. Use the first lesson to size up the student and then figure out what materials you need after that. For one hour every two weeks, I would not invest a lot in materials. Try and tweak your ALT lessons. I've recycled my JHS worksheets on occasion for adult private students.
Just a funny thought, if she really, really is a total beginner, how about march her through, "Hi Friends"?
And why are you feeling pressured? If you don't want the job or need the money, you could refer her to a buddy. Don't mean to pry, just curious.

[kita]

She isn't a total beginner but a false beginner. However, the Hi Friends idea could work. Since she is an ES teacher, there is a good chance she will need to use it one day, so making sure she is familiar with the material could be an excellent focus for her lessons. Or at least a decent place to start so I can get a feel for her level and try to flesh out what she wants to get out of the lessons. Thanks for the idea!


I don't want the job or need the money (though more money is never bad thing...), but she pretty much begged and did so in front of my boss, coworkers, and a bunch of BOE higher ups. I would have looked very bad if I had turned her down. I've been trying to find someone who wants to take over the lessons, but I live in the countryside and there just aren't many people to ask.

[mitsui]

Maybe something like American Headway or Person to Person.
Both are from Oxford.
American Headway starter tends to cover the basics, so it is good for false beginners.

[marley'sghost]

[kita]

I'm a direct hire so it's definitely not against my contract to take on extra work. If it was, I would totally have used that excuse to refuse the lesson!

[marley'sghost]