Korean Job Discussion Forums

celticjay · Joined: 27 Aug 2005

How do you teach a basic high beginner adult conversation class. What resources do you use. I've tried so many things, but nothing is very effective. Does anyone have a full proof system?

wings · Joined: 09 Nov 2006

I usually start with a picture promt for a theme, usually I also have a small reading, or several brief opinions on cards or something like that. Think of vocab that will come up during class, write it on the board, show the picture, elicit the theme through questions, use the vocab in questions, relating it back to the picture. If you have a one on one class ask questions directly to your student, or use an agree disagree with brief statements. if you have more than one student have them discuss with each other instead of with you. Make sure you get the students to ask questions and not just give statements.

ddeubel · Joined: 20 Jul 2005

Yes, pictures work great. Small groups, one turns over a picture and the others ask a main question and then follow up questions to the person. Main questions can be whatever the target grammar is.....If/ past simple / Pres. Perfect / future / habitual tense.... I also use my discussion cards, in my teaching folder.

Also pair activities with the task being to find out some information from the partner work well. Lots of those kinds in books a/b pair gap.

Just plain conversation prompts are good. But train the students to always ask atleast 1 , if not 2/3 follow up questions. I have started ppts which are just slides with pics and questions that students ask as the slides change. You just adjust the slide transition to whatever length you want. More to come on this.

I also like Side by Side for this. They have open ended blanks which allow for creativity and extension. In particular they are perfect for high beginners , as they provide the necessary structure and bridging.....I have a whole series in my powerpoint presentation folder.

DD

celticjay · Joined: 27 Aug 2005

Thanks for the tips. Dave you always offer helpful insights... thanks for your efforts.

shetan · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Location: In front of my PC.

i also like to use a variety of materials..

eg. TV... Show Entourage ( I know, a little controversial) ... I show 10 mins of the video with English subtitles (I also give hard copy of the script) and then we discuss the expressions, slang etc... then we watch the video again so they can try and pick out the dialogue.

also I get them to role play using 2 or 3 expressions...