Teacher Discussion Forums

OK
So I have a new class to start teaching this friday and it consists of a rather conservative mother, and her two children, a girl aged 14 and a boy aged 10. They lived in london for 4 years, and have been back in Japan for 1 1/2 years. They basically just want to keep there english up and study for the TOEIC test. The children, especially the girl, have excellent conversation english. The mother however, doesnt, as she spent all her time with Japanese friends in London. The young son doesnt seem to want to be there either. The mother said she wants the focus to be on the daughter mainly.
The class is one hour long.
Does anyone have any ideas, tips etc to what to do in this situation. Im kinda at a loss.....

Thanks

Okay... This sounds tough. Families in Asia are close knit. I remember once having to take a Spanish class and my father insisted on taking it with me because he was interested. Then he decided that this was something he and my mother should be a part of because, well, husband and wife should do things together... So I took up Spanish with both my parents because I needed to, my father wanted to, and my mother was forced to. So after a few lessons, my mom quit because she really wasn't interested, by the next lesson, my father quit because my mom quit, and I was left to finish the course on my own. So chances are, in a few lessons, you'll just be dealing with your young female student.

But, we don't know if that's going to happen with the family you're teaching so what you can do in the meantime is to tell mommy and little brother that the best way to learn and keep their English is to practice with each other and so even if the focus will be on big sister, they should learn with her. Also, try to work with Japanese culture when you design communicative activities... always put mom in a position of authority. Since you're dealing with a family, teach politeness markers... You can also begin by telling them that girls and boys have the same language in English unlike in Japanese... Ask them what they're interested in and work those into your lessons.

Start at the level of little brother. I'm sure his level is somewhere in between mom and big sister because he spent time with mom. That way, you're working at a level that's not too difficult for mom, and you put big sister in a position to help mom and her brother. This way, you're starting off at a point where little brother is comfortable.

Good Luck!