Korean Job Discussion Forums

[philinkorea]

Hi
Well I wouldnt say I'm in emergenency or anything but have just started teaching American Headway books to adults classes. Some are going fine but a couple of the bigger classes are painfully quiet and can seem a bit disinterested in my class. Ive got some ideas for tomorrow to interview their partners then introduce them to the class with what we've learned so far and also getting ideas together for other things they could ask them about to attempt to expand a little. I was thinking they could write a paragraph to which I could take in then could correct to read again next time with some inevitable mistakes corrected.

What else would you do? are there particular games and activities to get them being a bit more interactive. I was also thinking of introducing some topics as i did in my free talking class such as feelings about Japan to inevitably evoke responses but I guess this could be hard since its quite a simple level still. Anyone have any suggestion

Thanks a lot

Phil

[FUBAR]

Lose the book if you can.

[Butterfly]

Use the book in its entirity, don't just leap to the 'interesting' bits, students have to generate an interest first, and build confidence using the new vocabulary etc.

[itaewonguy]

talk about.. JAPAN, CHINA, USA, DOKDO ISLAND.. NORTH ISLAND!
they have plenty to say about that..

[shawner88]

Anyone else find adult students to be entirely inconsistent i.e, they show up 3-4 days out 5, they quit after 2 months, etc...

[Ya-ta Boy]

I can't tell from your post if this is a new class or not.

If they are new students:

a) Make sure you get them to change partners as often as possible. (Several times an hour if you can.) It breaks down the barriers and the innate fear of speaking to strangers. It seems even more true here in Korea.

b) Be sure to supply the vocabulary and grammar structures they need to complete the assignment. Since they are low level, it's always useful to review recent vocab and structures.

c) Give lots of positive reinforcement.

[peppermint]

The last poster gave lots of good advice. Don't introduce controversial free talking topics yet. It sounds like they don't have the skills to say what they'd want to on those subjects and only get frustrated.

Get in the habit of opening the class with a simple question- "What did you do today?" Something they can answer, and once it becomes a habit they can prepare an answer for it. Don't accept cop outs like "Nothing special" or at least teach them other ways of saying that.

[little mixed girl]

beat 'em.

[panthermodern]

Don't you just love it when you have to "make your students talk" ...

Kind of sums Korean EFL up doesn't it ...

Making language students talk is more or less like making swimming students get in the pool ...

[Ya-ta Boy]

Afterthoughts:

1. You can give the topic a day ahead so students can think about it and prepare some sentences, look up vocabulary...

2. Look around for less controversial topics than What do you think of Japan. For example: What does your name mean in English? Who gave you your name? Do you like your name? Would you like to change it?

3. Give them situations to discuss: You are on a bus. The seats are all taken. An old man gets on but no one stands up. Would you a) stand up; b) ask a high school student to stand up; c) pretend you are asleep or d) ???

Let them tell a partner their answer. Then ask Student A what Student B said. (Practice reported speech.) Also tease them about their answer: Hmmmm. You look like someone who would pretend to be asleep. Then discuss changing social behaviors: Young people today seem less polite than older people. Do you think this is true? If it is true, why is it happening?

4. Raid 'Dear Abby' columns for short letters. Spend a class on vocabulary and idioms. Next class have them give advice. (Teach them how to use 'should' and 'I would...'.) Have them change partners and give their advice again. Spend a class having them use those idioms in new situations where they act out a dialog. (You can get three educationally sound lessons out of one good Dear Abby letter.) [You could also re-write a letter so you can control the vocabulary and idioms.]

[jaebea]

Vell Kaptan... VEE HAF VAYS OV MAKINK YOO TALK!

:D

Ya-ta boy has the coolest bits of advice, from both his posts. Worst case scenario, they won't work and you can yell at him.. :)

But I doubt it'd come to that...

jae.

[Tiger Beer]

[Ya-ta Boy]

Jaebea is now a certified genius.

[schwa]

My never-fail activity to get a roomful of adults (any level) chattering is a thing I picked up somewhere on the net called 'Experts.'

On a sheet of paper have each student list 3 things they might have some special knowledge of. This can be anything: a hobby, a sport, a movie, or even something silly like cooking ramyon or some soap opera on tv. Have them write it large, just a keyword or 2 for each one.

Then designate half the students 'A' & half 'B.' Then, instruct all the A's to turn their paper face down & stand up. B's remain seated with their paper displayed in front of them. Tell the A's to circulate & scan the papers till they find a subject that interests them, then sit down & start questioning that person about it. After 5 minutes, announce 'Change!' The A's stand up again & go looking for a new partner. After several rounds, its time for A's & B's to reverse roles. The A's show their papers & the B's become the questioners.

The premise is simple -- I think you'll find a willingness to talk because the topics are self-chosen & familiar. The first time I tried this, with a large, shy, almost sullen group, I was amazed & gratified to have the room fill up with smalltalk & laughter. They didnt want to stop. It had a lingering loosening effect on subsequent classes too.

Thats the general version. You could use the same format with a single theme as well, maybe based on a lesson topic, something like interesting places you've visited, taste in music, work duties, etc.

[Derrek]