Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kittyfye]

Hello, Community. I am in the thick of battle, trying to impart something worthwhile to a freshman English "conversation" class of 45 students. I want to find resources for teaching 'taking, following and giving' directions, but I can't find maps, to scan and project, or resources for teaching the prepositions involved. I have made all of these things before, but they lacked the 'pizzaz' of something really professional. As well, the more different sorts of resources I can find, the more I will keep their attention as we trudge on through the semester, perforating the conversation lessons in their text book with directions, directions and more directions.

I want them to leave my class with one tangible ability, so that they can survive just a bit easier should they ever visit another country where Engilsh is spoken.

[spliff]

Are you a teacher? make your own resources!

[jay-shi]

Good luck!

They have trouble giving and taking directions in their own language let alone an L2.

Sorry I can't be of much help resource-wise. However, there are two things you must drill into their heads about directions.

1 How to get there.

Go straight and turn left at the corner.

2 Where it is.

It's next to the coffee shop.

Hope that helps.

[gypsyfish]

You are your own best resource.

And the Peter Watcyn-Jones books are pretty good. Available at most bookstores.

[ddeubel]

First and foremost, I'd make sure that any map you are using be of their world. A most important point. Use the Seoul subway map or something of the local neighbourhood, even if only you draw it up.

Secondly, here are a couple of tools to help if you use multi media.
I use this handy map for practicing whole class , giving directions. http://eflclassroom.com/tools/map.swf

This voicethread which Ive prepared and the teachers I train will use with their students this next semester has a map. Ask your students to go there and both give directions and leave a question....use the arrow and go to the map slide.

DD
http://eflclassroom.ning.com

[yeremy]

I believe that Bogglesworldesl has a few resources where you could find a few maps for teaching giving directions with a simple map. Plus Bogglesworldesl has preposition flashcards, such as "an alien above the fridge. or a ghost behind the door," which are very good. Cheers.

[nomad-ish]

i just recently did a lesson on this for my MS kids. i taught some of the basic phrases and what they meant, then eventually i posted a big map (from boggle's world) on the screen and put a "you are here" sign on it and a star for their destination. they made their own directions for it and some read them in front of the class.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[kittyfye]

THis is good stuff. Much thanks,...even to you, Spliff~~

[Gamecock]

Another easy thing to do, which the students love, is to take your digital camera around the neighborhood and get shots of individual businesses/buildings. Print them out, laminate them, throw some sticky magnets on the back (ok, this will take an hour or so of your time), then make a map of your neighborhood on the chalkboard/whiteboard and put the buildings in their correct location.

I also like to print off a picture of myself and then put my head on stick body (Jolla-teacher) so the students can give directions to this character. "Where is Baskin-Robbins?" Go straight, turn left at the corner, it's next to Lotteria, etc.

By having all your pictures seperate and with magnets you can do various activities, like making a blank map on the board with several streets and giving each student a picture. Then have them place the business where you tell them to (It's acrooss from Family Mart, It's between...etc). Or you can just give them a picture and have them pretend THEY are the building. If they are the Bank, tell them they must stand between the 7-11 and the Post Office.

I used these pictures for 4 different lesson activites.

[kittyfye]

Another good one. Thanks~

[ddeubel]