need ideas for adult one-on-one tutoring!

TraciPvy · Post by **TraciPvy** » Mon Aug 18, 2003 5:27 pm

I have been given the opportunity to work with a businessman from Japan, primarily on speaking and conversational skills. (He can read/write with few difficulties.) I have taught ESL in the school system for five years, but have never worked with adults. Any suggestions on activities, textbooks, etc. would be greatly appreciated!

Lia · Post by **Lia** » Thu Aug 21, 2003 12:20 pm

Hi Traci, I'm afraid I don't have any answers for you but I also have the same questions. I am to start teaching private students one to one in September and I have never done this before. I imagine you can get through the material a lot quicker and evaluate the student's progress more easily than in a class of 15 sts.

I will let you know if I find any more info on the net.

Lorikeet · Post by **Lorikeet** » Thu Aug 21, 2003 9:34 pm

It seems to me that the advantage of a one-on-one session for the student is that he/she can explain what kind of material he/she is interested in covering. Is your businessman interested in making "small talk?" with English-speaking businessmen? Is he interested in being able to explain elements of his business to English speaking people? I think finding out what his needs are can guide you toward a solution. Perhaps his reading/writing vocabulary is adequate, but he has difficulty with idioms? Perhaps there are idioms he doesn't know. There are a lot from sports ( in the U.S. at least) such as "It's in the ballpark," "He hit a home run," etc. I think you may need to have some ideas to present, but your student should have some ideas too.

LarryLatham · Post by **LarryLatham** » Thu Aug 21, 2003 10:07 pm

I was fortunate to gain some experience in this area while I was teaching in Taipei a few years ago. Japanese businesspeople working there often wanted instuction/practice in English. I found that frequently, what they really wanted to do was to have real conversations with native speakers, and particularly with people who have some knowledge about topics that interest them. Since I have an MBA, business people were nearly always interested in talking with me. My most interesting such student was the Taipei correspondant for one of the large daily newspapers in Tokyo. The man knew the President of Taiwan intimately, was highly versed in world affairs, was himself a poet, and a graphic artist of high skill--it was really my great honor to meet weekly with this man and talk with him about the details of political affairs in Japan and Taiwan, about business and economics on a global scale, and about other interesting topics (such as women, both Asian and western). He was subsequently called back to Tokyo to become the chief political editorialist for his paper. The key to our success together was that the conversations had to be real, and between equals. No lessons.

His English, by the way, was almost better than mine!

Your student may not want it this way, but I just wanted to give you a heads up that this may be what he is looking for. You can find out on your first meeting with him. I suggest you talk with him in detail about his background and desires with English, and what he thinks he'd like to do when you meet together. You can proceed from there.

Larry Latham

Lia · Post by **Lia** » Fri Aug 22, 2003 1:29 pm

I found out a little more about my private Spanish students and was wondering if anyone had advice on teaching kids one to one. I will be doing mostly hour long lessons and i am assuming that it will be mainly tutoring the kids with the English they do at school. I am also assuming that we will use the textbook provided by their schools. Just looking for general advice...

P.S. Sorry to highjack this thread Traci

Lia · Post by **Lia** » Fri Aug 22, 2003 1:35 pm

Here's a link i found with interesting advice on teaching one to one:

www.britishcouncil.hr/english/esp/dudtft.pdf

amyt · Post by **amyt** » Fri Aug 22, 2003 8:34 pm

I have been teaching one-to-one for many years, with many different levels, and may be able to help you. Most recently I have been using a book called "Issues and Taboos" (or "Taboos and Issues"). There are about 40 "controversial" topics covered in this book, for example, "Sex for Sale" (prostitution), "Not my Type," "Nudity" (public), "Right to Die". You can probably get the entire list of topics by looking up the book on Borders or Barnes and Nobel. Each topic has a clear focus with discussion questions, "real life" scenarios, language focus. My students really enjoy these topics, but be prepared that not all students will want to discuss all of these topics. The fact that the book was published in England and the focus is on British culture (and Br English spelling, punctuation, etc.) shouldn't interefere with those wanting American English. I find that pointing out the differences between Am English and Br English is a another great way to increase student speaking opportunities.

Before each meeting with my students, I ask them to pre-read the two brief pages for the topic. During the teaching session, I use the scenarios (which I ask them to read out loud) as a time to focus on pronunciation and inflection and to build vocabulary (especially idioms and phrasal verbs). Often, the discussion of one or two new words or phrases will lead into other conversation topics. Since all of my students are most interested in everyday conversation practice, these "taboo" topics really keep them speaking.

Hope this helps. If you want more help, please let me know.