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jfurgers · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Mexico City

When teaching adults in DF, are they pretty good with conversation in English? Here in Plano Texas where I teach, the classes seem to have a mixture. Some speak very well while others don't.
This makes the class a little difficult because I have to make sure that I spend enough time with the ones who need it more while making sure the others who speak very well don't get bored. All students here are supposed to be given a test that shows what class they are ready for, but it seems like a lot of the time they just throw everyone together in a conversation class for example. I'm not complaining because I love all of my students, but it seems like the school where I teach doesn't seem to care sometimes about getting the students in the class that would be the most beneficial to them.
Are most students in ESL classes for adults in DF on the same level based on what you all have experienced?

Thanks

John

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

jfurgers · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Mexico City

Thanks for the info guys. Last night in my pronunciation and speaking skills class, we were all working from the book but then someone asked a question about how to say something in the past, this somehow lead to a big discussion of some current world affairs.
Most were getting into it and were happy to have a chance to actually converse naturally for once.But I noticed that two students were just listening so I spoke with them individually while the others were solving the worlds problems. I guess I'll just need to be mindful of everyone which is sometimes difficult but a part of teaching.
There's one student from China who is having a difficult time because her vocabulary isn't all that great yet. I try to speak with her and the other two students before and after class to see if I can help them. I love teaching and helping students.

John

hlamb · Joined: 09 Dec 2003 Posts: 431 Location: Canada

I have a 20 year old in a class of two who is very shy. Both students are strong on grammar, listening and writing, but this one in particular really doesn't like to talk. He's the same way in Spanish. I try to give him speaking exercises on topics he'll find interesting, but I keep them short and switch back and forth between speaking and the textbook. He's starting to feel a bit more comfortable, but it's going to take time.

jfurgers · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Mexico City

I understand when you say they don't seem to be comfortable speaking. Here in Plano Texas if they get away from a book or tapes they freak. They tell me that they can understand the tapes and books but not people in real life.
I think I've made them see that they need to do some natural unplanned conversation sessions in order to help them in real life. I can point out sooo many students who know all the grammar rules but can't speak at all in a natural real life situation.
They can only speak in a classroom setting. In the States it's because they're brainwashed to think that it's impossible to speak without first knowing all of the grammar rules. From my experience this isn't the case. I teach some of them privately and they improve a lot after six months. I mix the book and then throw in some unplanned conversation in my classes and they seem to like that.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

jfurgers · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Mexico City

Not here. The tapes mean everything to them. I must admit that the tapes I use in my intermediate conversation class are pretty good. They seem to be real life. You can hear background noise and the people on the tapes stop and say things like uh you know and I...I know. Do you all have some type of party on the last day of classes?
We're having Pizza this coming Tuesday night. I love happy students!

John

Cdaniels · Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2005 5:24 pm Post subject:

That's really interesting! I wonder if it has something to do with the experience of immigrant families? I think US Spanish-speakers may get very very anxious at the very idea of communicating with a native English speaker, anxiety which would disappear during a tape or video.
Mexico City students who don't face the immediate prospect of speaking to foreigners in a foreign land might be less worried about making social blunders and be more receptive to non-verbal commmunication.

Or I might be way off base. It makes me wonder, though. Confused

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

You could be right CDaniels...I think Mexico city students often see the tapes as a time waster. Many specifically seek out classes taught by native-speakers for the interaction and conversation practice with a foreigner, so maybe the tapes they see as taking away from the short period they get to actually interact with the teacher. I will ask sme of my students tomorrow.

jfurgers · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Mexico City

Interesting thought cdaniels. That could be it. Like I've said, I have many students who tell me that they feel comfortable with the tapes and books but are afraid to actually try to speak with people at work or social situations.
My students come from all over the world and they seem a bit nervousto speak with me because they're afraid of making a mistake they tell me.

John

hlamb · Joined: 09 Dec 2003 Posts: 431 Location: Canada

I think it really depends on the individual student. Most of my students are very outgoing and LOVE to talk in English. Even some beginners are quite talkative. They tend to be the ones who are outgoing and talk a lot in Spanish. I do have a few who are quite shy and would far rather write their answers than say them.

jfurgers · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Mexico City

Thanks hlamb. This could be true. My Tuesday/Thursday class, the students like to talk and participate, but my Saturday morning class takes a while to wake up. Perhaps because most in my Saturday morning class are asian and they don't seem to be as lively.
A friend of mine taught in South Korea for five years and he told me that people from Asia are different in class than someone from Mexico or South America.
He said that they don't like to talk at first. This was his experience at least.

John

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

jfurgers · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Mexico City

It does seem that they take more time to warm up as you say. I guess it's a culture thing. I have a student from Thailand and she has an almost impossible time saying a sentence that has the words is and it together. Last night they were repeating the phrase where is it.
She kept wanting to pronounce it like she did is. So I'm working with her a little more.