Teacher Discussion Forums

Hi all,

Does anyone know of any books for developing conversation for advanced beginners, 12 year olds. I'm having trouble with some of my parents wanting more, more, more and more. Anyone working in popular Seoul schools willing to share their ideas. Us guys in the countryside are always being compared to schools in Seoul it's so annoying.

Cheers

Nat

I have some excellent elementary kids and they are in really low level textbooks because I use the texts to apply grammar and structure, not teach.

I use spectrum readers and we discuss (controled discussion) the readings. The reading are a little advanced for them but it has pictures to go along with it the students can get the general meaning and look up any words they don't know.

What are you using with your students now and what are the parents actual complaints?

Mark
_ _ _ _ _ _ www.mes-english.com _ _ _ _ _ _
ESL Resourse for Teachers of Young Learners

mesmark wrote:I have some excellent elementary kids and they are in really low level textbooks because I use the texts to apply grammar and structure, not teach.

I use spectrum readers and we discuss (controled discussion) the readings. The reading are a little advanced for them but it has pictures to go along with it the students can get the general meaning and look up any words they don't know.

What are you using with your students now and what are the parents actual complaints?

Mark
_ _ _ _ _ _ www.mes-english.com _ _ _ _ _ _
ESL Resourse for Teachers of Young Learners

Hi Mark,

Thanks for your reply, I have seen the Spectrum books at book shops but didn't really look into them, I will next time.
A course book I'm using at the moment is called See Saw, it's fine I have compared them to others and it's pretty much the same. I guess it's more about how you use the book along with other activites.
Parents I deal with are always listening to friends from Seoul and ask us to teach TOEIC or another fad at the moment is talking about politics from newspaper articles etc.
Really I want to get some recommendations on goods books others are using.

Cheers,

Nat

Hi Mark,

Mate I just checked out your website, not bad. I will have a better look a little later, but I liked what I saw. Keep up the good work!

Nat

Nat - Thanks for visiting the site and I hope you find/found something there that helps.

as far as teaching TOEIC and test English to elememntary students...

This applies to teachers outside of the school system. I assume you are in that case since the mothers are trying to influence what's being taught.

I'm in Japan and I have to admit I'm ignorant about the system in Korea but I'm pretty sure it's similar. These kids are going to get all the test English they need for 6 years in junior high and high school. If you do it with them they are just going to repeat in JHS and HS and waste their time with you or at school (however you want to look at it.)

There may be certain reasons to teach English for exams with ele. children; if they need it to get into a private or high level JHS or HS, for example. (not that it's the best for them but if that's what you're paid to do...)

When teaching for tests, the teacher ends up structuring lessons according to what is contained in the test suited for anyone around the world, not nec. what your students need right now. I believe that teaching for exams will lead you to students who can just do well on tests. That's a generalization and there are plenty of students who can make the leap from the textbook to speaking, but the majority can't.

Tests are a quick measure of progress, but not always true in my opinion. I tell mothers and other teachers, it's a long race and we're not looking to finish tomorrow. So, our goal line is way off in the distance. We need to go slow, take care and pick up provisions along the way for the long haul. If we sprint to the next rest stop, we'll loose half the group and some might die!

Anybody can study for a test on their own. If it's what the student or parents want them to do, get them a test workbook with explanation and assign it as hw. Then answer questions or address problem after class.

I know that doesn't answer your original question (and yes, I also believe it's how you use a course book.) Being in the test system here in Japan, this is just what I was thinking rereading this.