Teacher Discussion Forums

I teach one-on-one ESL to an older student who has limited literacy in her own language. She is a slow learner, a beginner, but very committed. I'm trying to concentrate on oral work but having trouble finding one-on-one exercises for a very beginner that require very little to no writing.

I'd like to give her very practical English. We need to cover the differences between question words (who, what, where) soon. Any suggestions on good exercises to do this?

Ask her about her life!

Where do you live etc

Thus she will remember as the sentences have a direct meaning for her.

Not textbook stuff-

Bill lives in NY.
Where does Bill live?

She does not know who the h'll Bill is.

I would implement the lesson on a personal level!


Siân

I agree with Siân. When I have a 1-2-1 class I always start with "Getting to know you, Getting to know me" introduction. Sometimes this becomes the whole class, depending on communicative the student is. With more advanced levels it's just a brief intro, but all the same it helps the teacher/student bonding process.

I tend to think the more you and your students know about each other, the more comfortable you'll all feel. Usually the students open up when they nice and relaxed.

Iain