Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sirius black]

This book seems to be best option available of the books my school uses for teaching 'conversation'.
I've used the book in private teaching but not in a classroom setting. How do any of you who have used the book for conversation use it?
Specifically for a university class (Sophmores/Juniors mainly) but not limited to university.
Students' ability range from dire to decent, classroom size about 17 or less.
The classes are 2 hours, 50 minutes, 10 minute break.
I want to make the class educational and informative but don't want to bore them to death either. I want the class to be interesting if not fun.
Any ideas?

[Captain Corea]

I like the books, and have referenced them for years... but the structure gets a little dry after a while.

If possible, try supplementing with video clips.

Doing the unit on Dating/Romance? Bring in a quick clip for a sitcom or something.

[watergirl]

I used Jazz English in my college with the adult students coming to extra classes at night time.
It partly depended on what kind of students you are teaching. I had a 'housewife' class who didn't want to have homework or study at all. This class went very well and I would introduce the vocabulary (but only some as Jazz E has too many I think) and then I would bring in and lead discussions that are more interesting than in the book. I would start with asking the class the conversation questions in the book, but it would lead into different topics.
For the dating chapter for example, I brought in a survey found on another els website where you have to rate your top priorities in finding/selecting a wife or husband. An interesting and social atmosphere is important to the adults i found, well in keeping your students happy and returning. So, I would get the students to pair off and ask each other the questions in the book but also had group discussions as well where I would bring up topics or ask questions not in the book. In fact, I found the classes talked to much outside of the book's focus and it was hard to stick to the book.
But with more serious students, they want to feel they're learning something. So, I started typing up a worksheet for the vocabulary from last week's discussion and giving it to the students in the beginning of the class.
Different formats - a graph with the definitions and they have to see if they can remember the word. Or, just a simple matching worksheet (of the words with the definitions). Something reviewing last weeks words and helping the students remember them.
Also, I found the textbook's conversational questions and answers were not enough. So I typed up another worksheet where they ask
a partner just simple questions... What did you do yesterday? maybe just 10 questions to let them practice using the past tense. Then I would go into the book's theme or topic.
It really depends on the student's English level. Jazz English does have little exercises students can do at the end of each chapter. a crossword puzzle, etc but they do require more of an advanced level of english.


At the end of the book, there are also several different conversational, surveys the students can do.
For example, there's a survey on using Frequency terminology... How many cups of coffee do you drink? etc, etc,

Sorry, this is all over the place. So in a two hour class, I started with a review sheet, general asking students what they did on the weekend, partner worksheet (not in the book) activity where they ask each other what they did etc, I try to put funny questions in there as well. Then the book's topic. I think I usually spent 2 two hour classes on one unit in the book.