Teacher Discussion Forums

Hello all,

I teach ESL in my home country of British Columbia Canada. My church ofers ESL as a community outreach. I have a multilevel classroom (adults) and am starting another class to English conversation.

I would appreciate help in the following areas:

A classroom activity for the multi-levels. I do special occasions which the students enjoy. I would appreciate other activity ideas.

Some ideas for English conversation would be appreciated. My students speak very good English, and want to practise it.

Thank you

There are some excellent Bible study courses which are free and would provide all the materials including topics for discussion.

Jill Bell has written a very good book on multilevel classrooms - available at the King Edward Campus in their bookstore or online, of course.

It might be interesting to get local people to come to speak for 20 minutes and then answer questions and have a discussion - the local MP, a real estate agent, someone from your church, a gardener, someone who travels a lot and has pictures, a retired teacher. Just invite people for tea.

You've got your hands full with a multi-level class, but conversation activities can be scaled so students find material that fits their ability. You want easy questions everybody can answer, some questions that introduce new vocabulary for other students, and some savvy questions that inspire students to reflect and share.

Check out www.compellingconversations.com for sample conversation lessons I wrote for high-intermediate and advanced students. You will find five sample chapters on being yourself, talking about movies, work relationships, dating, etc.

You will also find a list of 45 topics that I've used for multilevel conversation classes at Santa Monica Adult Education Center and Santa Monica Community College. Eventually, I compiled and expanded the exercises into the conversation textbook "Compelling Conversations: Questions and Quotations on Timeless Topics." Check it out. As the old TV commercial used to say, "try it - you'll like it."

If you have lower level students, I suggest picking an everyday activitiy - going to the supermarket, talking with a teacher, buying stamps - and creating a short vocabulary list. Then just write down four or five questions that beginning students can answer. Personally, I also like to introduce an idiom, a proverb, and a quotation to expose students to authentic language and give them some quick quips. Students like sounding witty in their new language!

What are you interested in talking about? Make sure that you share your knowledge, interests, and insights with your students. What do you want to know more about? Your students have years of experience and many stories to share. Let them help you gain a more global perspective. Listening, as the cliche goes, shows respects and opens minds.

Finally, make sure the students feel comfortable making good mistakes. I only gently correct - at the end of the class - after making a list of overheard errors. Usually, I just rephrase questions correctly to avoid making anyone lose face or courage. It's important, it seems to me, to let students practice and experience their increasing confidence to speak English.

Good luck. Have fun.

Hello Sally,

Thank you for all your helpful suggestions.

I will check the web sites and books.

Blessing
M\Yvonne

Thank you Eric. Your suggestions are very helpful.

Midesire