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kiwioutofthenest

Joined: 29 Jan 2003
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Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2003 3:35 pm Post subject: "teacher i thought you were a good teacher...but now i |
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Damn that was horrible to hear, I have 2 months to go and would really like to get the zang back in my teaching...anyone got some tried and tested lessons? Whats the best way to get results in conversation? |
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katydid

Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: Here kitty kitty kitty...
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Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2003 4:25 pm Post subject: |
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"...But now I" what?
* Want to poke out my eyes with a pencil?
* Want to change classes to the one with the really cute blonde guy?
* Want to withdraw my money from the school so the wonjangnim can yell at you?
What happened exactly? Not sure if you meant it or not, but the last part of your title got cut off. |
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kiwioutofthenest

Joined: 29 Jan 2003
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Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2003 5:51 pm Post subject: |
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" but now i don't "  |
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Howard Roark

Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: Canada
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Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2003 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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Have a party and game day. Bring drinks and junk food, or even a pizza. I used to have a pizza day when things were getting boring. My students loved me for it. |
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Zyzyfer

Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Location: who, what, where, when, why, how?
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Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2003 6:35 pm Post subject: |
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Find a couple of new activities. There's tons of games that each of us individually doesn't tap, and we don't know it. Sometimes the silliest idea works amazingly well.
Failing that, ask them what they want to study. Try to relate some free lesson to that. It might require some more effort on your part, but it's what I have to do with every single class of mine. All of my 7th graders are currently designing their own countries, complete with a profile and rules.
It could also just be that you're burnt out and need a vacation. Pizza parties rock, if it's only a couple of classes, but they're expensive.
Finally, make sure that they know that you care about them. Ask them a few genuine questions about themselves or what they're doing, where absolutely no English is practiced. Show interest in them. So on, so forth. |
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Ghostinthemachine
Joined: 22 Jun 2003
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Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2003 12:27 am Post subject: |
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God I really empathise with the op!!!
I teach mainly conversation classes with no text book, no fixed syllabus and no formal teaching of grammar or vocabulary (not my choice, the schools idea).
I think my students feel the same about my classes as the student the op quoted. They enjoy them at first but eventually the topics and my method of teaching are no longer fresh to them. I often think it's boredom rather than seeing any improvement in their language skill that causes the students to move up to the next level.
Looks like Zyzyfer has some good suggestions though. |
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Chonbuk

Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Vancouver
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Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2003 7:54 pm Post subject: |
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Okay, I got this idea from an episode of Sex and the City-
It will only work if they are adults or nearly adults- college students.
Have the students brainstorm what information is needed when you first meet somebody on line- Name, nationality, race, gender, marital status, sexual orientation ( you may need to explain this one a bit further). I include gay, bi, lesbian, transgender and hetro- hobbies, appearance, age occupation, religion.... you get the idea...
Review the questions that need to be asked to get this information.
Than on the board create a wacky character to prove your point that you want them to use their imaginations.
Have each student create their own characters. Make sure they all didn't create a 20 year old Korean or Japanese person. Or it will be boring-
Once everybody is ready, divide them up into 2 groups- Group A will rotate from desk to desk and Group b will stay at their desks.
They have 2 minutes to meet, and decide if they like this person by asking him/her questions. If they like the person they ask him or her for their phone number.
At the end of 2 minutes- I yell out change and Group A gets up and moves clockwise.
Once group A has been to every character I review as a group and do a toll and how many numbers they got, and the reasons why they liked that person's character-
After that I ask them to rate the qualities that they consider most important when looking for a romantic partner-
It is fun, and the students love it, it gives them a chance to move around and the 2 minutes at each table is interesting, the short time creates a sense of urgency that they all sort of get into--
Also don't forget that Halloween is right around the corner giving you tons of opportunity for great lessons.....
Good luck
Chonbuk |
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schwa
Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap
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Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2003 8:14 pm Post subject: |
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I've had text-free classes with the same groups of adults for over 2 years now (2 or 3-hour weekly classes) & yes its a challenge to keep it fresh. I prowl the internet constantly for new ideas -- theres tons of free sites out there. None has all the answers for your dilemma but by cruising you can generally find a new activity that suits your style to fill a productive hour or two. Try a search on [efl + a keyword or two] -- useful add-ons might include a particular lesson theme, 'lesson plans,' 'games,' 'activities,' 'printable,' etc. Vary your search terms & new sites will pop up with gratifying frequency.
I especially like activities that require minimal prep & explanation. Here's one I tried out last week with various levels & everyone got off on it.
Give everyone a slip of paper & ask them to write the name of a famous person on it. Thats it -- no other explanation. Collect the slips. Then tell them its time for 'celebrity talkshow.' I acted as emcee & set a chair in front for the interviewee. Draw a slip randomly & invite the 'special guest' to the 'stage.' That person assumes the persona they wrote down, I ask a couple leading questions, then I open it up to questions from the 'studio audience' -- the other students. Everyone gets a turn & you let each interview run its natural course. Worked like a charm, with considerable laughter. (You can only use it once with a class though -- if they know whats up they get nervous & calculating.)
Okay thats one small example. Stumbled onto that a halfhour before class & it saved my bacon for a week. No idea where it came from (I seldom bookmark) but I can usually bank on pulling something out of the ether when its needed. A lot of wise & experienced souls have made a lot of stuff freely available on the net. A nice spirit of sharing. |
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rapier
Joined: 16 Feb 2003
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Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2003 9:34 pm Post subject: |
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"I thought you were a good teacher"- how sweet...How about:-
" I thought you were a good student, but all you want is an amusing performer to humor you. Now I realise that when it comes to actually doing any hard work, studying, or trying to learn for yourself, you quickly lose interest". |
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kiwioutofthenest

Joined: 29 Jan 2003
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Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2003 11:48 pm Post subject: |
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Well now the student likes me again cause when he was sitting a test he got a question wrong and i scowled so he changed it ....Ha now he thinks im a good teacher...oh how fickle they are...and yes i know not a professional thing to do |
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