For teachers, or those with language learning experience: How to best start a class before the text arrives?

Question

This is for an ESL class, Intermediate. I normally use a number of handouts, but I am trying to avoid a lot of xeroxing. I would like to use a novel approach. Thank you.

Answer 1

I have been an ESl teacher for quite sometime and I rarely use a text. I teach from realia - I bring in everyday items (junk mail, newspaper ads, utility bills, medical bills, phone books, lease agreements, take-out menus, etc.) and I teach using these items. The students actually bring in more than I do. I have found that this helps the students more than any textbook because it is applicable to their lives. I also practice with a telephone (it's not hooked up, of course) and we work on phone etiquette skills. I have brought in guest speakers to simulate real life situations like a receptionist from a drs. office, an attorney, a police officer, just to name a few. Don't worry about the text. Ask your students what area of their lives are most difficult for them and bang you have your lesson plan (or I call it a shared priority). Or, just look at what you do in your everyday life and carry that into the classroom - I promise your students will flourish with this type of approach. Have fun!!

Answer 2

You could do a few group writing activities:

1. Build-a-story: Write a sentence at the top of each page, one per student. It should be a different sentence for each. The students then add to the the story, with one sentence of their own, before passing it along to the person behind them. At the end, each student should have received his or her own story back, with a sentence from each student. The next class period could be dedicated to improving the meaning and grammar of the sentences. They can then practice pronunciation by reading their stories outloud.

2. Practice free-writing, clustering, and other invention techniques, using ideas accessible to all. For example, you could have them practice clustering, using the topic, "Differences between American education and homeland education." A lot of ESL students have a tough time inventing their own thoughts on an essay subject, if they're from countries which emphasize copying the masters. Thus, their thesis statements will be quite weak, and they fall prey to unintentional plagiarism.

3. Thesaurus Game: Finding common words that are overused, such as "good" and "bad," have students generate as many different words as they can, for each common word.

4. Quick!: Use a tennis ball or paperwad, and have students sit in a circle, if possible. Begin with a brief discussion of a controversy. Throw the ball to a random student, and ask for a response. They have to respond, then toss the ball to the next person. So on and so forth, until you call the game. The goal is to have every student respond.

Answer 3

Work on listening and speaking until the reading and writing materials come in. Play a tape or watch a movie and orally ask the students questions. Have them discuss the questions in partners and then they can answer aloud to the class. You can also write discussion questions on the board for think, pair, share activities. Also, try getting out of the classroom. Take a guided tour of a local business or send the students on a scavenger hunt at a local store (again, write what they're looking for on the board, have THEM copy it down, and head to the store!).

PS - Jeannette, if you tried to teach INTERMEDIATE students simple introductions and statements about their families you would be fired!

Answer 4

The first few classes, at least, should be started without a book. Start by teaching everyone how to introduce themselves and simple statements about themselves and their families. Then, the second lesson, review introductions, and then follow with talking about the weather. No note taking, no xerox copies. Get them used to oral speaking and ear training. It's like training for singing or a musical instrument. Once the books come, continue to have at least part of the lesson, oral conversation. Good luck.
Jeannette
French Teacher

Answer 5

Making copies are best because students have something to see, write on, read, speak from and take home. It is inefficient to have a game, contest or activity without them seeing what they are learning and facilitating practice in that learning. I see no other way but to supplement their waiting for the text by supplying more text.There are copyright issues to consider so one must be selective. Using both sides of the brain to help facilitate SLA is the best approach in my view. Thank you and good luck

Answer 6

Give them a picture cut out from a magazine and have them write a story using language they used from the last class as review.

Have each student write a question they have on an index card to be handed in.

Have students make up review sheets for each other and trade.