Korean Job Discussion Forums

[spyro25]

I tried searching for other threads about this but searching for 'adults' just brings up a ton of threads.

I have one adults class of university students at my unigwon. My experience has been mainly children so far. I've taken them three times so far and its been pretty good but I'm kind of at a loose end of what to teach every day. they want to be able to speak fluently and accurately so i set them tasks in groups and pairs and let them go at it - but i also feel like i need something to 'teach' them as well. I have a book (person to person) and its not too bad, maybe a little easy for them. their level is meant to be beginner but i think i would label them pre-intermediate.

anyway thats their situation but i wondered how those who have had success teaching adults managed to run their classes. which direction to take, how to select what language to teach that day. there isnt a syllabus but i'd like to write one, but what to include on that syllabus?

i guess i'm just looking for which direction i want to take my class. right now there are just many options i can choose, but i wondered what works best for you in your situation.

[ajuma]

You might want to try mixing things up a little. Spend one or two days on the book, then spend another on grammar, maybe taking the pages relating to what was covered in the book from "Grammar in Use" or a similar book. One day of "free talking" with either you, or preferably THEM choosing the topic and leading the discussion. For the last day, have a "game" day. If you have Scrabble, Boggle, Uno or other games available, use them. Blackjack is also good for teaching conditionals "If I had held...If I would have gotten a 3...". If your games are limited and you have a computer/video lab available, you could show something like "Friends" or "Lost" for a part of the class and talk about it. You may want to find the scripts on-line and talk about "real" English and vocab.

[Ya-ta Boy]

ajumma's idea about mixing things up is good (as usual). For the conversation portion of your class, take a look at EnglishClub.com for topics with 5-10 discussion questions, or Breakingnewsenglish.com for an entire lesson plan based on a short reading with bunches of good discussion questions, role plays, listening activities, vocab building... (all in an 'easy' version and a 'hard' version).

I use the Breakingnewsenglish lessons with my adults. One lesson takes 2 hours. Sometimes I use it for the base for a writing assignment, in which case that topic lasts even longer. The discussion part substitutes for brainstorming before writing.

[spyro25]

Ya Ta that breakingnewsenglish website is fantastic! thanks for sharing that with me

[butlerian]

I try to keep adult classes relaxed and I focus on conversation and increasing their vocabularies with relevant words related to the topic of that day. Jazz English is good for that. With my lower level adult class I have more of a structured approach, using a textbook like Interchange, but I still allow some time for conversation as Koreans really need speaking practice with native-speakers.

[drkalbi]

I find that the students enjoy speaking outside of class. Therefore, I try to take them to bars, restaurants or cafes from time to time. They seem to be more relaxed and the conversations have a much more natural flow.

[ella]

deleted

[DCJames]

[drkalbi]

never. I offer, but my students refuse.

[Ya-ta Boy]

You might also like:


http://iteslj.org/questions/

It's just oodles of questions, grouped by topic. No lesson plan with them or anything fancy, but I like to use a couple of them at the start of a lesson as a warm-up activity on the topic of the day.

[butlerian]

Yeah, always pay your share, regardless.

[spyro25]

another awesome website ya-ta - thanks so much for those. with these resources i can actually start planning my TBLT classes around these. thanks again!

[Ya-ta Boy]