Ventures curriculum

A number of our tutors and learners are enjoying the Ventures curriculum.  We have some availability of Student books and Workbooks in each of the 5 levels.  Each level includes high-interest topics and English lessons for listening, speaking, reading and writing.  Each Unit includes grammar and vocabulary.  A self-study CD comes with each Student book and is also available on-line.  Check the web-site for more information and let me know if you would like to try it!
http://www.cambridge.org/ca/esl/catalog/subject/project/item405055/?site_locale=en_CA

Online Adjective Quizzes

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/cgi-shl/quiz.pl/adjectives_quiz.htm

http://english-zone.com/members/grammar/adjective5.html

http://a4esl.org/q/h/vm/adjorder.html
 
http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/139.html

Reading Suggestions

Our learners can all benefit from reading aloud to you and receiving your feedback.  It helps fluency, comprehension, vocabulary building, pronunciation and more!  Try to spend a little time reading during each session.
Here are a few suggestions for resources:
 http://bestofthereader.ca/
 http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/
 http://www.readingesl.ca/

The Westcoast Reader newspaper, available at all Chilliwack library branches (a favourite of Heather, Dianne, and others)  Worksheets to go with the newspaper are in the teacher's section at http://www.thewestcoastreader.com/

For higher learners, try the Chicken Soup for the Soul books (thanks to Sandra and her learner for this idea)
Active Reader books at all levels are available at our office, or I can get them for you.  Have you visited our new office at 8472 Harvard Place yet?
Books from the ESL or Adult Learner Collection at the library are great.  Ask the librarian for suggestions.

I would be happy to recommend specific reading for your learner!

Teaching Conversation

Learners may be confused by the many ways we can say something in English.  Practicing phrases for conversation can be helpful.  For example, you can use a map to practice asking and giving directions:
Where is (the) . . . ? 
How do you get to (the) . . . (from here)?
How do I get to (the) . . . ?
Can you tell me how to get to (the) . . . ?
Can you give me directions to (the) . . . ?
What's the best way to get to (the) . . . ?

(First,) go down this street (for ____ blocks).
(Then,) turn left/right at the traffic light.
(After that,) go straight on _____ Street until you get to the ______.
(When you get to the _____,) turn left/right again.
(Then,) stay on______Avenue for about _______  meters.
It's on your left, next to the __________. You can't miss it!
Sorry, I don't know.
Sorry, I don't live around here!

For more conversation phrases by topic, visit:  http://www.eslgold.com/speaking/phrases.html

Keep the Conversation Going

Choose topics that are of interest to newcomers.  Suggestions:

• meeting people
• getting acquainted
• getting to know neighbours
• getting directions or information
• taking phone messages
• arranging appointments
• dealing with emergencies
• talking on the phone/getting information
• looking for a job
• applying for a job
• looking after housing needs
• using public transportation
• dealing with merchants

Don’t ask “yes” or “no” questions.  Use WHAT, WHO, WHEN, WHERE, HOW, WHY
Ask questions, such as

• What did you do next?
• Why do you say that?
• How did that happen?
• When did that happen?
• What did you say?
• Where did that happen?
• How did you react?
• Did you like it?
• Do you recommend it?”

 Ideas for discussions:

• describe and interpret pictures
• describe objects (qualities, colours, shapes, uses)
• compare and contrast (objects, pictures, sports. experiences, films, etc.)
• describe and interpret recorded material (radio advertisements, newscasts, TV shows. etc.)
• solve dilemmas and survival problems
  e.g. Suppose you lost your wallet and money in a foreign country. What would you do? What five things would you take to a desert island and why?
• state and support opinions
• have the student describe things (what makes her happy, what she likes to do, the things she cannot live without, etc.)

Everyday Expressions

Spoken language is full of fixed expressions that are not necessarily difficult to understand but have a fixed form  that does not change. These have to be learned as whole expressions.  Like idioms, these expressions are sometimes difficult to find in dictionaries. 

Here's a fun worksheet for higher level learners on this topic:

http://www.ryerson.ca/studentservices/els/pdf/Everyday%20Expressions.pdf

Dictation

A short dictation can be added to almost any tutor-learner session.  Most learners enjoy the challenge and it can give you some feedback on their spelling, listening, grammar, etc.  A partial dictation can be prepared ahead of time or while your learner is doing an exercise.  Here's a sample for low level learners.  http://www.prolinguaassociates.com/BD/Sample%20Basic%20Dictations%20Lessons.pdf