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senor boogie woogie

Hola fellow ESL brethren,

I decided to take a second part time job teaching English to the masses of Hangzhou. Wheen I was given the book, I knew that it was a bad book, and all the adult professional students in the class were given this drivel to learn the language with.

I asked the school on the first day on what to do, and they told me to teach from this text, because all the students were given this to study by. So, I did. In defense of bad book, it did contain a lot of common used English words, such as "eventually", "unconscious" and 'usually". The problem is that the students are not learning "ORAL" language that they should.

A couple of studnets came to me after class to tell me what they want (GOD BLESS 'EM ). They want me to roll the cl;ass book in 'dama' and never use this book again. Their opinions is like what I think about the book. The school doesn't give a "dung" what I do as long the students do not quit the program. I want to keep them happy.

Theywant to learn how to speak and communicate. Most of them have good English ability if I give them problems and scenerios to speak spoken English. I will admit that I have problems to know what they would like to help me in this situation.I would like to know any games or problems to help me to get these students talking and relating, to fill two hours. I do support "pair work" now! Most of these students seem cool and I do not want to lose them! I want to "think outside of the box" so to say. HELP!

SENOR

HappyTown · Joined: 13 Apr 2003 Posts: 14 Location: China

Use the cultural difference between you to get discussions going..I find that Chinese students are desperate to learn more about western cultures, but at the same time, if you show interest in learning about the Chinese way of life (even if you seceretly know a lot about it already) they will gladly fill you in.
Get the student s to 'interview' you about life as a foreigner in China
Tell them an interesting story about your family and then have them do that about their own families in groups an re-tell the best sories to the whole class.
I don't know how old your students are but anything about the differences/similarities between China and the west in terms of dating/love/marriage/sex goes down a storm with my students
...I dunno, maybe this is obvious stuff that you know already, but the key seems to be keep it relaxed within an overall tight structure...if that makes sense. Do a google search for 'teaching, conversation, chinese students'

HappyTown · Joined: 13 Apr 2003 Posts: 14 Location: China

I like creating my own lesson plans. Any teacher worth his or her salt should be able to. Most textbooks are dull anyway. The internet provides a wealth of up to date material. The lessons are mine, and if they are good, i will use them again and again. I don't hand over anything to the school. My lesson plans are so cryptic and scribbled as to be useless to anyone but me anyway.

MartinK · Joined: 01 Mar 2003 Posts: 344

Hamish · Joined: 20 Mar 2003 Posts: 333 Location: PRC

gerard · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 581 Location: Internet Cafe

Another classic:

Hamish--It is not an us against them thing. Yes you should do an honest day's work. But the situation in China is different than what you might be accustomed to. Managers will arbitrarily say "Don't use the book a Chinese teacher can do that." Instead come up with entertaining and informative lesson plans. It is easy for them, to say that at the last minute. I dont know about you but it takes me an entire evening at least to come up with material. Not being lazy but this doubles or triples your work. And all on a whim. Maybe it is lack of experience.

If you are so exp. or a natural at teaching good for you. Keep in mind that they have no resources at all.

Writerman-- you are spot-on as they say in your asessment of things. They want you to create an entire program out of the blue. (And steal it maybe but I dont know about that.) I agree with you use the book if its bad it's their problem. I am getting tired of being blamed for everything. They say dont use the book but they have no other books or even a damn photocpier for that matter.. They have a printer but too much grief to use.

I think in most cases they want the cultural experience . HAHA. China is coooooooooooooooooooooool though no problem. Over and out...

smalls · Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Posts: 143 Location: China

Keeping them interested and entertained can be a challenge at times. I do not mean telling jokes and juggling, but make the lessons and learning as fun as possible, the more they enjoy, the more they will learn.
I agree, I have yet to have found many decent books in China, and hope that someday the market will open up, and books from the outside will make it in.
Some ideas that have worked for me in the past - Cut and paste current events, cultural differences, role-plays (can be extremely farfetched at times (loosens things up - trapped on an island), questions, questions, questions (what do you want to do before you die? Most beautiful thing you ever saw? Who do you admire? etc.)
Students work together to create a story, taking turns thinking on the sentences, show pictures and have students tell about a story about them
Have your students tell you about old Chinese folk tales, history, meanings, etc.
By all means, roll that book up, tuck it under the arm, and create.
Great way to find ideas, hop on a search engine, punch in ESL lesson and the topic you want to discuss, or any other heading about activities and such, wealth of info.
I know, many are quite shy and afraid to speak, teaching them confidence goes right along with teaching them English.
Wish you the best of luck, with experience, it only gets easier, sometimes, that is. Remember, flexibility is the key.

smalls · Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Posts: 143 Location: China

Keeping them interested and entertained can be a challenge at times. I do not mean telling jokes and juggling, but make the lessons and learning as fun as possible, the more they enjoy, the more they will learn.
I agree, I have yet to have found many decent books in China, and hope that someday the market will open up, and books from the outside will make it in.
Some ideas that have worked for me in the past - Cut and paste current events, cultural differences, role-plays (can be extremely farfetched at times (loosens things up - trapped on an island), questions, questions, questions (what do you want to do before you die? Most beautiful thing you ever saw? Who do you admire? etc.)
Students work together to create a story, taking turns thinking on the sentences, show pictures and have students tell about a story about them
Have your students tell you about old Chinese folk tales, history, meanings, etc.
By all means, roll that book up, tuck it under the arm, and create.
Great way to find ideas, hop on a search engine, punch in ESL lesson and the topic you want to discuss, or any other heading about activities and such, wealth of info.
I know, many are quite shy and afraid to speak, teaching them confidence goes right along with teaching them English.
Wish you the best of luck, with experience, it only gets easier, sometimes, that is. Remember, flexibility is the key.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Is this the real Hamish or an impostor who has adopted the name of the Great Guru who used to post prolifically on everything from hpodermics in Shanghai to Imams in Saudi ?

Ah well. No copyright in a name !

Hamish · Joined: 20 Mar 2003 Posts: 333 Location: PRC

Hamish is Celtic for my name, James.

I hope I am not guilty of the charge.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The Former Great Guru of EFL gives you full permission to use this name.
He will desist from posting in that name. Confusion to our enemies ! Health to the King over the water !

yaco · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 473

Chinese students who do homework ?

Please find me at least one.

wOZfromOZ · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 272 Location: Shanghai

Yaco

Having problems getting homework done?

I'm at a joint venture Engish College with Shanghai Uni and I've got 7 classes this term 2 classes of L/S/R English and 3 Reading and 2 x 3rd year Writing Classes (That's about 240 students) It's a lot!

They all get 'homework' at the end of every class and they always have it done for the next class. (well almost!!)

Maybe you need to build better rapport with them or maybe they haven't
got full confidence in you yet. This is something that'll take time to build but you need to "set the bar" at your (not theirs) desired level. You're the teacher aren't you? - You set the standards and if they cant meet them then you should either adjust to accomodate, "pull out a carrott" or "pull out the big stick".

Hope this helps

Cheers
wOZfromOZ

yaco · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 473

Dear Woz from Oz.

I was being a touch sarcastic with my remark.

The students do homework sometimes but after much prodding.

I am teaching 3 oral english classes ( first year) and 4 culture/survey classes with freshman/sophomore.

The students often say, I am kind and funny whatever that means.

Maybe I need to reward the students by promising funnier jokes if they do homework.

Don't be silly Yaco, you have forgotten about upcoming band 4 and band 6 exams.

Anyway Woz from Oz , I am only 3 hours from you. Must catch up after the SARS situation is resolved.