I teach oral english to classes (between 30 - 88 students) in a Chinese Uni and am having trouble motivating myself:
I see students for 90 minutes every two weeks.
I have almost 600 students to manage (inc. assessment)
They're not English majors
They're not always interested in speaking/they're too shy
They have to do CET4, and all believe they'll not pass.
Ahem. Any bright ideas? I'm working with them this semester only. A lot of the students just want to watch DVDs, but I don't want that!
We have 3 or 4 weeks left until the end of term (because of the scheduling system). I don't want to coast.
Frustrated and disinterested.
Moderators: Dimitris, maneki neko2, Lorikeet, Enrico Palazzo, superpeach, cecil2, Mr. Kalgukshi2
Do you have access to computers?
Probably your students are afraid to communicate because they feel they are not proficient enough. You could try to improve their self-security by providing more input to them.
A good way to combine real-language input with pattern-based grammar and lexicon-based exercises is using electronic flashcards on a computer.
We are using VTrain (Vocabulary Trainer) in classroom, as many other schools and colleges are doing. This new software allows to focus on bits of information at a time, by way of electronic flashcards.
The best thing is its scheduling facility, which reduces the time spent on repetitions to a minimum.
http://www.vtrain.net/home.htm
You can get a free license if your establishment is official.
Good luck!
A good way to combine real-language input with pattern-based grammar and lexicon-based exercises is using electronic flashcards on a computer.
We are using VTrain (Vocabulary Trainer) in classroom, as many other schools and colleges are doing. This new software allows to focus on bits of information at a time, by way of electronic flashcards.
The best thing is its scheduling facility, which reduces the time spent on repetitions to a minimum.
http://www.vtrain.net/home.htm
You can get a free license if your establishment is official.
Good luck!