Job Discussion Forums

Sekhmet · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 329 Location: Alexandria, Egypt

Where do you start with a one to one conversation class? I teach conversation to groups, but I've never done one to one in this situation. What should I be concentrating on? Grammar, fluency, or function? Confused

The major problem is that my student has only 6 weeks before she goes off to a job in Saudi, and she wants me to improve her spoken English. Unfortunately, it's really not good to begin with!!!
Any ideas for topics or lesson suggestions would be greatly appreciated... Very Happy

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Okay, she has some kind of aim I guess - your job is to do a good needs analysis to find out what both her perceived and actual aims are. Then, you can adapt topics and language to her needs. ALso, find out if she wants things like error correction or simply a chance to talk or both or homework etc

Find out what her interests are and what motivates her. Use materials based on these.

How many sessions per week and how long for? What's her nationality?

Sekhmet · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 329 Location: Alexandria, Egypt

She's Egyptian, she's lower intermediate, and she's expecting me to teach her to be completely fluent in the next 6 weeks.... Shocked

I explained to her that language learning just doesn't work that way, but she says "Oh teacher, I just want to be able to talk!"
I think she's aiming at 4 hours a week, split between two sessions. I personally can't do any more than that because of loads of other commitments, so I hope she doesn't try to ask for more!!! The only problem is her father is, apparently, a very important man in Alexandria, and therefore I have to be as accomodating as humanly possible (I really didn't want a private student in the first place!!!)
Thanks for your help... Very Happy

Bindair Dundat · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 1123

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

You failed to mention her age, so I assume she is a minor.
I have little exposure to students from Islamic countries, so I am making careful suggestions.
How about planning your lessons around some topics that crop up regularly in one's life? Have her maintain a list of new expressions and words she is learning from this course. Check every new entry.
Include some mind-stimulating and fun-creating games. Check out www.bogglesworld.com for some suggestions; mine would be scrabble or target.
Alternate lessons in a way that fun and seriousness are in balance! Don't encourage her to merely speak; encourage her to monitor her own progress - and that involves note-taking and writing!
Then you will have some irrefutable proof of what you have done with her - good for her, good for you, and good for her father!

Sekhmet · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 329 Location: Alexandria, Egypt

She's actually about 19/20 I think. But she does tend to act younger...
That site is very good - I can use some of those ideas for my classes too, so thanks a lot!!! I'm not convinced I like doing one to one, so this is basically a filler to keep me busy!!! Very Happy

I like the idea of getting her to keep some kind of journal, and I will use that one!!!
I'm basically going to follow a "lesson plan" that I've been doing with my adult class, but with variations. I don't know the girl, so I'm not entirely sure what is suitable for her, but I'm sure your suggestions will be fine culturally!!!
Thanks guys