Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Maka]

I got a job teaching conversational English to 3 korean doctors. It's twice a week and 1 hour long. The doctors are at an intermediate level of English and would like to improve so they can converse better with western doctors at the various functions etc. They don't want 'free talking', they would like me to prepare a somewhat structured plan mostly based around improving conversation skill.

This is my first time to teach adults and i don't really know too much about good ways to teach conversation. Any advice or help would be appreciated.

[Cracker006]

well they're probably wanting to know "doctor" type things...

How about preparing vocabulary lists on various topics? Then showing how to use them in a sentence. Then role play the sentences.

EG:

Subject: mood disorders

anxious, anxiety, anxiously

Doc: How are you feeling today?
Pat: I feel very anxious today.
Doc: What are the symptoms of your anxiety?
Pat: I am having a lot of trouble sleeping.
Doc: I see, do you know what is causing your anxiety?
Pat: My kimchi doesn't taste as good as my neighbors

Plug in other words (depressed, tired, stressed).
Show how they are used.
Have them come up with common reasons for these problems.

Also talk about the various words for medical conditions.

Head-Cold: Stuffy, Runny, Coughing, Scratchy, Dry...

Have them role-play out, with one of them as the patient, and one as the doctor. Using only english, and no gestures, try to diagnose your patient.

Might also want to bring in some basic culture stuff later...
taking another doc to dinner
visiting another doctors home
doing a business transaction
making a partnership
dealing with a disagreement
how to travel to america
ways to build friendships
proper/improper touching
***PERSONAL PRIVACY***
Divulging personal details about patients
Talking to patients family members (what's ok, not ok)

Just a bit to get you started

[yoja]

[Easter Clark]

Ask them specifically what "skills" they want to work on and go from there. One thing I've learned teaching adults is that if you give them control over their own curriculum, if things go south they have only themselves to blame.

Spend the first class getting them to determine what exactly they need English for. "Conversing better with Western doctors" is too vague. If that's all they want to be able to do, then buy a textbook and make photocopies.

IME, most doctors who are studying English already have a solid medical vocabulary base, since many have to publish papers in English.

Here is a good first lesson to use with any adult class, assuming their level is high enough.

[Cerriowen]