Comments on: How an esl conversation class supposed to be? http://www.englishoverseas.com/blog/how-an-esl-conversation-class-supposed-to-be/ Thu, 17 May 2012 17:34:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: professor mom http://www.englishoverseas.com/blog/how-an-esl-conversation-class-supposed-to-be/comment-page-1/#comment-968 professor mom Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:47:15 +0000 http://www.englishoverseas.com/blog/how-an-esl-conversation-class-supposed-to-be/#comment-968 Do you mean these are two different classes (one with 10-12, the other with 20-22) or that you have determined that these are two different proficiency levels within the same class. I would do a combination of whole class and groups. I would do whole class to introduce vocabulary, topics, etc. and then split them into groups with issues they must discuss or tasks to complete. It is hard for people to keep conversations going so you really need to give them specific tasks or topics. For instance, show a video clip/ part of a movie and have them discuss/critique the actions of characters, ... There is also a neat program called "Take a Stand" where they use current events and must present their stand on an issue. It is well structured so that the students prepare rather than being put on the spot at a level where they don't have the level to spontaneously argue an issue. By the way- there are some good ESL teaching websites out there with lots of good ideas. Good luck. Do you mean these are two different classes (one with 10-12, the other with 20-22) or that you have determined that these are two different proficiency levels within the same class. I would do a combination of whole class and groups. I would do whole class to introduce vocabulary, topics, etc. and then split them into groups with issues they must discuss or tasks to complete. It is hard for people to keep conversations going so you really need to give them specific tasks or topics.

For instance, show a video clip/ part of a movie and have them discuss/critique the actions of characters, … There is also a neat program called “Take a Stand” where they use current events and must present their stand on an issue. It is well structured so that the students prepare rather than being put on the spot at a level where they don’t have the level to spontaneously argue an issue.

By the way- there are some good ESL teaching websites out there with lots of good ideas. Good luck.

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