·
feeling welcome and comfortable
·
respect and trust
·
building self-esteem
·
positive reinforcement
·
let people talk about themselves
·
finding commonality
·
building on interests
·
connecting with Canadians and Canadian culture
·
finding interesting topics
·
energy
·
participation
Challenges and Solutions
·
Ss not speaking English at home – suggest
specific English only time at home (eg. supper)
·
overcoming nervousness – share personal
experiences
·
independent activities – reward/praise
·
get all to speak – learn about them; find
interests
·
beginners – pair with other learners, pictures,
start where they are
·
idioms – teach them; don’t use too many
ourselves
·
learners interpreting for others – separate
them, encourage independence
·
getting people to talk – individual attention
·
learners speaking too fast – slow down please!
·
integrate into community – newspapers
·
new and interesting ideas – from other tutors,
facilitator
·
students prefer not to move around the room –
don’t do too much
Resources
·
Google!
·
Conversation Card Game
·
Icebreakers to get started
·
pictures
·
product labels
·
books on English idioms
·
audio of music
·
make a crossword/wordsearch
·
Ss bring photos (phone, Ipad)
·
Easy Reading for ESL beginners web-site
·
Westcoast Reader
Activities
·
sitting around a table better than just a circle
of chairs
·
English songs
·
role playing
·
label items at home for beginners
·
watch TV with captions or sub-titles
·
crossword made for the learner
·
cut up words to make sentences
·
send email when away on vacation
·
idioms
·
grammar activities
·
real life experience conversation
·
keep it simple
·
newspaper cartoons
·
bring in real objects to talk about
