Job Discussion Forums

MacW · Joined: 14 Aug 2011 Posts: 3

I'm teaching absolute beginners who also don't now the latin script. Any suggestions on suitable books and/or online resources?

fluffyhamster · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2011 7:54 pm Post subject:

I haven't checked to see if all the links in it are still current, but the following thread might be useful:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/teacher/viewtopic.php?t=9170

(Edit: This also might be interesting, given that you say below that your learners are Arabic speakers: http://forums.eslcafe.com/teacher/viewtopic.php?t=9583 ).

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

It would help us to know some basic background information.

What age group are you teaching?
What is the purpose/goal of learning English?
How often do you have them, and for how long overall?

Any other information might help.

MacW · Joined: 14 Aug 2011 Posts: 3

They are arabic speakers, adults and literate in Arabic. I am teaching them intensive for 4 weeks at a time.

sharter · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 878 Location: All over the place

I've taught Arabs for years. Many have been beginners....some barely literate in Arabic.

Realia and pictures work well in presentations. Arabs like technology; have you got Powerpoint?
Drilling is ok.
Games are good, especially for vocab.
Learning that involves movement can be hit or miss.
Speaking and listening will develop faster than reading and writing, don't worry that's normal.
Phonics and penmanship are useful places to start with reading and writing.
Pair work and group work may be alien to them as out here teacher centred lessons are part of their collective school learning experience.
NEVER lose your rag and always smile...it goes a long way.

There are course books for level 0 beginners, so look online.

DMcK · Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 111 Location: Madrid

I've taught a few different groups of Spanish absolute beginners and found this to be a great starting point, used with as many relevant pictures as possible (such as this for "he is Irish" and so on...)
If they're into powerpoint then you can impress them with your skills, making the wee Irish fellow wobble like he's drunk. haha although I'm not so sure they'll get it.