Job Discussion Forums

[astro]

Hello,
I took the TESOL course last June and haven`t yet started teaching yet. I'm planning on heading to Vietnam in the fall/winter of 2006. Now, that being said, I`ve been approached by a co-worker who would like me to "teach" him and his friend english (I'm currently living in Montreal).

I get the impression that they are at somewhat different levels (inferior/intermediate and intermediate). Since I haven`t yet taught, I`m not really sure what to do. Especially how to start. Any suggestions for teaching adults?? I don`t want it to be too easy nor too difficult! But I want them to enjoy it!

Thanks a bunch!
M�lanie

[khmerhit]

Are you going to be teaching them one-on-one or together?

I would start by trying to assess what level they are at, because you need to know this before you can really begin. You can find out pretty fast by talkiing to them, asking them to read a passage, ask them to talk about themselves or their own country, or what they are doing.

Once you know their level, teaching one to one is pretty straighforward... you go through the text together, make them read and answer questions, with you explaining as you go. You'll find yourself talking a lot, which is not good but difficutlt to avoid. You want them talking.

If they are together, you might get them working in a pair on the odd exercise, assuming they are at the same level more or less. If one of them is a rank beginner and the other is intermediate, tey should not be learning together, really. I think others would agree...?

As for specific exercises, maybe Valleygirl or Kent E Kruhoeffer can help you. the thing about adults is to use their life experience and maturity when you teach them, so that really they are teaching themselves.that means, get them talking about stuff, if you can. Bonne chance!!

[khmerhit]

If you are going to Vietnam, try contacting the Alliance Francais(e) and ask about teaching French.

What I would do, if i were you, is get me a one or two year degree in development or whatever, and go to work for an NGO. You will find it more amenable than teaching english!!

[astro]

Thanks for the advice khmerhit!
I'm meeting up with the two people who want me to teach them english tonight to talk about what they want. I hope they can give me enough to go with so that I can plan accordingly and not disappoint them.

As for working for an NGO, I would love that. I have a diploma in business - would that work you think? I've volunteered overseas already (which had nothing to do with my diploma) and am super interested. Any suggestions for NGO's in Vietnam (working and/or volunteering) while I'm teaching? Also, where is this Alliance Fran�aise oganization located? Is there a high demand for learning french in Vietnam? Don't most people already speak it? I would be really interested in that too!

And if anyone has more suggestions for teaching english to adults, I would love to get some more ideas!!

Thanks again!
M�lanie

[khmerhit]

hi Astro,

Business is a good background for NGOs, especially accounting and project management, stuff like that. Engineeringg is good too.

But of course the liberal arts are where it's at!!

I dont know much about NGO-land, but here is a link ---

http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:K3p78wh87j8J:www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/ypi-jpi/success-en.asp+canadian+ngo+listserv&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=8


there is also a program for uni grads run by the dept of external affairs, where participants get experience in jobs overseas. That would be a better bet than the alliance which is a french govt org.

Try contacting external affairs, you might get in now BEFORE wandering around the world doing esl........

bonne chance encore

here you are--the deadline was november fifth, but you could still apply for the next entry, in 07-08.

http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:K3p78wh87j8J:www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/ypi-jpi/success-en.asp+canadian+ngo+listserv&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=8

[Jizzo T. Clown]

When teaching adults, I would say that the main thing is to make the lessons relevant to them. Why are they studying English? For survival? For academic reasons? For fun? Once you have an idea of their reasons for studying, it should be pretty easy to plan out a type of "syllabus." Then again, just ask them what they want to learn and they'll plan your sessions for you.

Also, it may be best just to plan an activity in which conversations will emerge spontaneously, like polite requests when shopping, or past tenses when talking about last week's hockey game/dinner/shopping trip/etc...