Manners!

We had a great Conversation Circle last week on the topic of manners.  Much etiquette is the same across cultures but some things are interestingly different.  Examples that came up:  honking your horn while driving, bowing to elders, chewing with your mouth open, using first names for teachers, etc.  We all came up with pet peeves, such as texting at the table, cell phones in theatres...
A couple of great ESL Youtube videos on this subject are:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-8AlriF908

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBSLIy3SmCQ

 

For discussion questions, see  http://iteslj.org/questions/manners.html

It proved to be a popular topic for newcomers!

 

 

National Volunteer Week

Volunteering is a great way for newcomers to practice English skills, participate in our community and culture, and make Canadian friends.  April 12 to 18 is National Volunteer Week.  Check out opportunities to volunteer in Chilliwack through Volunteer Chilliwack. 

For tutoring materials incorporating the theme of volunteering in Canada, check out:

Conversation questions  http://iteslj.org/questions/volunteer.html   and  http://www.esldiscussions.com/v/volunteerism.html

Low level reading and discussion - Many Ways to Help http://www.bestofthereader.ca/Ebooks/Helping-print.pdf

LINC 4 curriculum http://www.moresettlement.org/LINC1-4/LINC4/LINC_4_Classroom_Activities.pdf  (search "volunteer" for several lessons/ideas)

Higher level Reading and listening lesson:  Volunteering Helps you Live Longer http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1308/130826-volunteering.html

If your learner has school aged children, discuss volunteering at school.  http://sd33.bc.ca/parents-students/parents/volunteering  (idea:  print the brochure and discuss together)

Newcomers may be surprised to learn that volunteer work is a necessary requirement for entrance into a teaching or nursing program, for example.  Few countries have such a high level of organized volunteerism as Canada. 

Does your learner know that YOU are a volunteer?

Toastmaster's International

Listen to the presentation about Toastmaster's International and complete the worksheet.  Audio File

ESL Conversation Web-Sites

Conversation Questions for the ESL/EFL Classroom  - extensive list sort by topic http://iteslj.org/questions/

Topics for Conversation -- Well organized and sorted ideas for one-on-one as well as groups  http://www.eslgold.com/speaking/topics_conversation.html 

Dave’s ESL Café -- Ideas from ESL teachers – search speaking, pronunciation, vocabulary, etc. http://www.eslcafe.com/ideas/

Compelling Conversations – great sample lessons for higher learners www.compellingconversations.com 

Ready to print worksheets (or just ideas) https://www.englishclub.com/esl-worksheets/conversation/

Short Conversations – good samples for beginners or for pair work http://bogglesworldesl.com/conversations.htm

Idioms worksheets http://stickyball.net/idioms.html

Conversation class lesson ideas http://iteslj.org/Lessons/

ESL Conversation Circles Toolkit http://wiki.settlementatwork.org/wiki/ESL_Conversation_Circles_Toolkit

 

Please pass on your favourite web-sites to:  janetl@chilliwacklearning.com

Canadian Songs

O Canada - Instrumental and words (we STAND and sing)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZtfphBDp-w

O Canada at a Canuck’s game http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tysbTyRIqR8

You Tube - Michael Mitchell - Canada Is

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjUvsT2DKk4

 

You Tube - Michael Mitchell – Something to Sing About

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI49ROE0hBE

 

This Land is Your Land

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni5wpuRD4qA

 

Canada in my pocket - animated symbols http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnZlAOSEmYQ&playnext=1&list=PLAB062A9AA17EEF57

 

Raffi – C A N A D A – fun song (lyrics and photos)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHO8xAe-FKs&feature=related

 

The Hockey Song – Tom Connors

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZWxErEbQkY

 

 

 

Conversation Workshop

Concepts of Conversation Tutoring

·       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

Articles a/an and the

There are only 3 articles in English:  a, an and the, but they probably cause more grammar problems than any other words.  Here are a few good lessons on articles use that include explanation, examples, and practice from the University of Victoria ESL department.

http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/410/grammar/410-articles-a-an-the.htm
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/490/grammar/articles-general.htm
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/490/grammar/articles-fine-tuning.htm

Additional on-line practice:
http://a4esl.org/q/f/x/xz38mvt.htm
http://a4esl.org/q/h/vm/fampeople.html
http://a4esl.org/q/h/9901/cw-articles.html

Worksheets and answers
http://www.eslpdf.com/esl_articles.html
http://www.eslflow.com/prepositionlessonplans.html  (scroll down to "articles)

Enjoy!