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tomato
Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Location: I get so little foreign language experience, I must be in Koreatown, Los Angeles.
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 Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 4:08 pm Post subject: elementary conversation class |
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Help! I am responsible for a summer camp elementary conversation class.
The parents are expecting me to turn their children into glib conversationists, and I can't even get them to come out of the corner.
I have tried:
■ asking them questions.
All I can get is short answers if I get ANY answers.
■ using a textbook.
All I can find is a book with babyish questions and babyish illustrations. Most of the kids are fifth graders.
■ giving written homework assignments.
All I can get is "I like to play soccer" and "I like to play the piano."
■ sitting and waiting for the students to response.
All I can get is a silent Quaker meeting.
Have any of you ever had an assignment like this?
Have you had any better luck?
How can a wegukin, whom nobody ever listens to, fight an entire culture where the kids are forbidden to do anything except memorize and recite? |
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Steve_Rogers2008
Joined: 22 Mar 2010
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| Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 4:13 pm Post subject: |
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give 'em what they want... at my first hagwon, they had a dialog book they practiced everday. I memorized the book pretty much.
after the rote memorization, I'd ask the same questions in the dialogues, and try to get them to give answers of their own. sometimes like pulling teeth, but sometimes a good comedy act. 
really fun, as the dialogues were mostly between a girl and a boy. having them team up, and then watching the boys fight about not playing a girl... priceless....  |
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tomato
Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Location: I get so little foreign language experience, I must be in Koreatown, Los Angeles.
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| Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 11:53 pm Post subject: |
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I got this message from my director today:
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I'm sorry that I have to say this during the weekend.
Students in the Speaking Class say that they speak only 3 or 4 sentences during the class.
They want to improve their speaking skill. They know that they can't improve their speaking skills if they speak only 3 or 4 sentences a day.
You should help them speak out. You told me that you would search for some teaching skills for the class.
Is there any plan for the class? If you have a plan, then let me know. I will let their parents know that we have a plan and the class is very useful for their kids.
Bring your teaching plan for the class in written form on Monday.(the 9th of August) The plan should include process for each class to give them many chances to speak English. I also want to know the long term plan.
The reason I employ you is to help our students improve their speaking skills in English. If you don't know how to help them open their mouth and speak English to improve their speaking skills, then you have to develop your teaching skill and find a way for their improving speaking skills. If you think it's impossible to find a suitable way to teach them, then let me know about it. I have to find another teacher.
I go to the school tomorrow(Sunday). If you want to talk with me for the plan, you can come after 4 o'clock.
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I am sure that there are hundreds of unemployed English teachers out there who have had years of experience in teaching English conversation classes. I am sure that there are hundreds of unemployed English teachers who know just the right formula for getting fifth graders to speak glib English.
If you are interested, I'll give you the contact information. |
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Who's Your Daddy?
Joined: 30 May 2010
Location: Victoria, Canada.
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| Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 1:08 am Post subject: |
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You need dialogues.
A: What are you doing tomorrow?
B: I'm going to the supermarket.
etc.
So you read and repeat line by line.
Then you're A, all students B.
Then students A, you B.
Then you let them practice in pairs.
Then ask them to start substituting things. Like they're going to the library instead of supermarket.
It lets the kids talk a lot. |
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nfld_chingu
Joined: 29 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 1:26 am Post subject: |
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| If the students "want to improve their speaking skill," why don't they open their mouths and speak? |
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