They have poor English skills. I have access to prior tests, and can buy any books or cd's etc that I want. I have been thinking of a sight learning approach i.e. breaking the test down to essential phrases, and individual words and introducing, perhaps 5 phrases per day and drilling, drilling, drilling. I'm not sure that this is the best approach. Can anyone offer suggestions?
2006-09-21 00:29:28 · 4 answers · asked by Sam 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
this test is a software design test, not an English competency test.
2006-09-21 06:04:55 · update #1
If you are preparing them for a test, prepare them for the test. That does not necessarily mean you are teaching them fluency in English. As an English teacher, it is one of the things that I most dislike doing, but you have to teach specific test-taking skills, and focus less on conversation and practical language.
First of all, if you have access to previous tests, that is your best resource. It is probably divided into sections that test different skills, and each section probably is worth a certain number of points. What happens if they leave a space blank? Make sure they know these details. When they know these things, they can approach the test strategically.
Divide your course into focused series of lessons, for example, spend one week focusing on listening comp. Practice, do feedback, talk about the language, the accents, you can throw in a few little grammar lessons if you want... but make sure that at the end of that week they know EXACTLY how the listening comp part of the test will be. The next week, work on reading comprehension. Obviously choose the exercises that you give them starting at a fairly basic level, and getting increasingly challenging.
In the last few sessions, just do one or two full practice tests... and they should feel pretty confident by that time. Answer questions, do one last feedback session, and wish them luck.
Have fun!
2006-09-21 04:32:51 · answer #1 · answered by Carma 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably a multi modal approach would work best. Drilling excessively won't help build their confidence or facilitate fluency. I would concentrate on one tense at a time with a list of vocabulary words and then have them practice speaking with each other and asking each other questions using that tense. This work could be highlighted by having them watch brief clips of that tense being spoken by native speakers. Lastly, they can practice that tense through some writing exercises.
2006-09-21 08:28:32 · answer #2 · answered by cheyennetomahawk 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Photos, gestures, repetition
Get the stronger students to work with the weaker ones
2006-09-21 08:56:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
catch phrases and humor .confidence works both ways
2006-09-21 07:39:51 · answer #4 · answered by martinmm 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋