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Zorak03

Man, I am a bit frustrated these days. I have done more EC's than I care to remember but these days I have got a tough crowd. I have been giving EC's at a newly opened center for the last few days. The classes are massive; like 60+ students and they are VERY picky.
I have done the same lesson plans at other centers, of the same school, with very good results. However, this one is different.
After the EC I always get stopped by a few students telling me "you gave to many new words" "you didn't give enough new words" "why you don't do this or that" "can you pick another topic" " the content was too easy" "the content was too hard" and so on.... As I said this never happens at any other center...
Anyone got any tips on giving a good EC to such a large class and dealing with extra picky students?

Shroob · Joined: 02 Aug 2010 Posts: 1339

Babala · Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 1303 Location: Henan

I find English Corners work best when you choose a very basic subject that allows your lower level students to be able to say something and your more advanced students to speak in longer terms. Go for topics such as food, health etc.. You can write new vocabulary on the board and students have the choice to write it down or not.

The biggest mistake teachers make in English Corners is that they choose a topic they are interested in instead of choosing something the students can talk about.

JamesD · Posted: Fri May 30, 2014 8:51 am Post subject:

When faced with large ECs (over 20 or so) I make it clear from the start that ECs are for THEM to practice speaking, not listen to the laowai babble. (I do babble a bit.)
I put them in groups of 6-10 and give them each a current event or topic that fits their age/demographic. Then I bounce from group to group kick-starting the shy ones, suggesting vocab, fixing pronunciation,....Giving them a newspaper sometimes works since the stories are usually relevant to their lives. Each chooses a story and tells the group about it.

Let them switch groups if they want but don't let anyone just follow you around.

With smaller groups you can turn conversations around so they're doing most of the talking, for crowds it's easier to divide and conquer.

NoBillyNO · Joined: 11 Jun 2012 Posts: 1762

JamesD · Posted: Fri May 30, 2014 9:22 am Post subject:

NoBillyNO · Joined: 11 Jun 2012 Posts: 1762

Zorak03 · Posted: Fri May 30, 2014 11:22 am Post subject:

Actually thats what I usually do. In fact some shy students do not like to come to my EC because I practically force everyone to talk. The students have gotten used to, and expect, basically to attend an hour long lecture given by the FT. Sadly thats exactly what most of my coworkers do.
I make it very clear at the start of the lesson just what I think a social club should look be. I.E everyone socializing; and if they want to be entertained they had better skip the EC and watch a movie (usually I do not say this part, I do not want to come off as rude).
The problem with this center is the EC room is small, massively overcrowded and has no tables. It has those desk chairs crammed so tight its hard to really form a group, or even move around. Also, when I do get everyone (60+ people) talking its so loud its heard all over the center and gets complaints from other staff/students doing courseware.........
Seems no way to win....

Javelin of Radiance · Joined: 01 Jul 2009 Posts: 1187 Location: The West

How do you force people to talk?

JamesD · Posted: Fri May 30, 2014 12:24 pm Post subject:

Zorak03 · Posted: Fri May 30, 2014 1:53 pm Post subject:

Maybe force was too strong, I just design my classes to be interactive. Group discussions; the "find someone who.." game ect.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Mingle/cocktail activities require space and certainly seats promote static behaviour when the aim is fluidity.
There are a couple of age related 60-question downloadable cocktail question sets online. Abt $12 each from memory - but you can use them endlessly.
PM me and I'll find the link.
I ask teachers new to EC not to lecture but sadly they get caught up by lack of prep and their own self importance and revert to standing while students cluster and listen.

teachingld2004 · Joined: 17 Feb 2012 Posts: 389

I am lucky. We get "invited" to English corner. Of course we call it "Chinese Corner" bcause hardly any one speaks English. Last time I went with another teacher because she said she "got invited to a party". I said "Oh the English Corbner party?" She said "no, a party."

I said sure, but its English corner. A party? This was a party like a hole in the head. The organizer put us into two different rooms and asked us what topic we would talk about and what games we would play. I said we would talk. Sure we did. (not) I talked and they listened. I stopped talking and they were silent. They said, "You are so beautiful" (I sure am not). They said you look so young. (I am 61 but I l dont look bad" They said ," You are so kind. I love you" I said "I am kind but you do not know me, how can you love me?"

By the way my school is great and we re looking for two teachers so if you have university experience PM me.

Javelin of Radiance · Joined: 01 Jul 2009 Posts: 1187 Location: The West

zorak, what you're doing sounds more like a proper lesson than any EC I've ever seen. EC is often voluntary, usually doesn't get you any more pay. if I was putting out that much effort and getting a negative reaction I'd probably just not bother going back. Shroob made a good point, the best ECs (at least from student's perspective) are ones planned and carried out by them with FTs invited to join in and add some conversation. This way the students have something invested in the activity and usually make a better effort at it.

The Voice Of Reason · Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Posts: 492