Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bnrockin]

Can someone give me an example of a typical lesson in a university level conversation class for beginners? What does the structure usually include?

[lifeinkorea]

I am sorry if this seems like hijacking the thread, but I was wondering how conversation classes and test taking classes are valued at the college level. I am usually a conversation teacher, but the college students are more worried about test scores.

So, to put both our questions together, it might be worth discussing a balance, if any, on teaching both conversation and test taking classes.

I try to get my students to read longer than short passages, but no longer than a page. Then they answer questions, and when we can we have a discussion on what they read. Some other teachers here show movies and talk about them. However, when I try it, they just sit back and listen to me talk about the movie instead of actually engage in conversation.

The reading at least gets up from passive to active since they have to look up words and can go faster when they work with other students.

[bnrockin]

I teach at uni right now and yes, students are always worried about scores. I find that a participation grade is pretty useful with some sort of standard associated to how many times they talk. For example, I might require that students volunteer to speak at least 2 times a class for full credit.

I also find small group work and pairs to be effective. In a conversation class, the best thing you can do is be a fly on the wall except when teaching a concept.

Again, I'd like to hear from others about what their standard format in a conversation class is.

[Skyblue]

IMHO there really is no such thing as "conversation" for "beginners." Without some structured input, they're not going to be able to converse about anything. So you've got to provide a syllabus with language functions, vocabulary, grammar, and so on. You can use reading and listening (e.g. dialogues) as models. Then drill and have them practice those "conversations." Use the standard things you know about language teaching.