Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kaypea]

How does one succeed at "free talking" with kids? I'm having trouble with my lunchtime conversation class. It's about 8 kids, boys and girls, advanced students. They don't like adult-type discussions, and it seems they don't like the topics and readings I pick. They like chit chatting over games, but I teach with a coteacher who thinks we should be reading something.

What shall I do?

Oh, also... if one were to do a free-talking class with one kid (elementary age), what would one do? Chat over coloring or card games? I suspect that's the way to do... Any advice?

[Malislamusrex]

You claim you are increasing students non linguistic skill in a unstructured environment.

Get a football from the PE teacher... and enjoy.

[Kaypea]

Yeah, I'm thinking I could keep the readings very light, very cursory... And then do something fun together... I was thinking some crafts, but why not something sporty?

Actually, next session, I promised to show some "video clips". Which clips are sure to please? What kind of speaking activity could follow?

[Fishead soup]

[Setaro]

[koreatimes]

There are 2 things that I try doing. Advanced students come in 2 varieties. You have advanced students who are simply ahead of the other students because they have spent more time studying or they pick up on the language faster. With those students I use a site like http://www.rong-chang.com/

I pick a short reading section and paste them twice into a new document. Then, replace difficult words with blanks with the bottom one. Students write down the missing words on the sides or bottom of the sheet. Don't have them write these words where the blanks are unless you are teaching a mixed level class. In that case, the lower level students can do this.

After they list all the missing words, have them practice reading the bottom one trying to remember which words go in the blanks. They can also add new words. Also, go over the meaning of each word so they understand and have them make new sentences.

The other kind of advanced student is usually pushed by their parents to go above and beyond the other advanced students. They tend to get worn out because of this. You could have them write diary entries and correct them. For a game, you could have short readings at various levels.

For a book, you could integrate this into a game. Instead of having a student read a whole book, summarize the book up to a certain point and then have them read a target portion. This will allow them to be part of the book but not waste time reading it all.

[joelove]

Advanced kids? Awesome, sounds like fun. Taught 'em before and it's easy because you can talk about all sorts of nonsense. How old are they, around ten? What do all kids like? Cartoons, video games, comic books, some other stuff. If ya can do, some games can help. Monopoly? Good for language and fun. Dunno just throw something out there. Really, advanced kids are great, you can do so much when they have good ability in English. A "hint game" is something you can get a lot of mileage out of too. Everyone has a bunch of words to describe, and others guess what they are talking about. 20 questions? Oh, there's a lot you can do with that group. Do some reading, but have some fun.

[WadRUG'naDoo]

How about you start a fantasy story. Start off by giving each student a fantasy character name or let them choose their own names. Usually I go with animals. Next, maybe for homework, have them give their characters a special power. Have them describe their characters. After they have learned about all the characters in the story, they can each take turns implementing other fantasy characters in the classroom into their own story. Then you can get them thinking about what planet they're from (made-up planet) and have them each describe their planets. Go from there.

That's one idea, anyway.

[koreatimes]

Advanced girls, which I think you are more likely to run into, don't fantasize about characters with degrees of power like boys do. They are more likely to pretend there is a princess in a castle and draw chariots.

[WadRUG'naDoo]

[Kaypea]

[koreatimes]