Conversation for Low-level Learners Volunteer ESL Tutor Training Workshop Tuesday, May 1 6:00-8:30 Bow Valley College Facilitator: Norma Tersigni
Icebreaker I Gave It Away I gave it away. You what? I gave it away. What did you say? I said I gave it away. Gave it away? That s what I said. I said I gave it away. Why? Because I wanted to. You wanted to? Yes I wanted to. Why didn t you sell It? Sell it? Yes, sell it, sell it. Why didn t you sell it? Why not? Why not? Why didn t you give it to him? Why didn t you give it to her? Why didn t you give it to them? * From Jazz Chants Carolyn Graham Oxford University Press 1987
Setting Up the Learners for Success Conversation Builds fluency. Provides language examples. Develops confidence. Encourages retention. Establishes positive classroom climate. Clarifies thought. Teaches active listening skills. Questions to ask when you are lesson planning: Have I reviewed the vocabulary and provided context necessary for the speaking task? Are my instructions clear to the learners? Do the learners know what is expected of them? Sometimes training is necessary. Have I demonstrated the task?
Language Examples *Start with short exchanges, then expand with practice. A. Hello (less formal) Hi. My name is. B. Hi My name is. Nice to meet you. A. Nice to meet you too. A. How are you? B. Fine(Good, Alright, Ok), and you? A. I m. Thanks. A. It was nice seeing you. I ve got to go now. B. Nice seeing you too. Have a good day.(night, week) B. you, too! A Hello. How can I help you? B. My name is. I need to see the doctor, my hurts. A. Can you come on at? Yes. Thank-you very much. A. Excuse me, I am looking for a. B. Do you know what size? A. Medium. B. What colour would you like? A. Dark brown. B. Here you are. Will that be cash or charge? A. I will pay cash. Thanks. A. Can you tell me about your skills? B. I can. I am good at. I have learned to. A. You are new here aren t you? B. Yes. My name is. A. I m. Nice to meet you. B. Glad to meet you too. A. Are you ok? (Is anything wrong?) B. I feel. (bad, sick, tired, worried etc.) A. I am sorry to hear that. (That s too bad.) A. Excuse me does this train go to? B. No it doesn t It goes to. You need the line. A. Thanks very much. A. Can you give me something for a _cold? ( cough, headache, earache,) B A? You need Sinus- Aide.(cough syrup, eardrops) A. Where can I find it? B. Aisle 3 A.Thanks. A. How can I help you? B. I d like to return this (these). A. Why are you returning it (them)? B. It is (They are) too big. ( small, short, tight) A. Do you want to exchange it(them)? B. No I d like a refund, please. A. What are you doing? B. I am trying to fix my. A. You should call a.
Paraphrasing/ Summarizing Summarizers: In other words. You mean. It sounds like. (more difficult) What you are saying is that. In summary. To sum up. Student A and B alternate repeating the statements and choosing a stem to paraphrase. 1. My son had a car accident and now we don t have a car. I have to take two busses now. 2. My wife had a baby girl last week. They are coming home today. 3. I didn t get the job I was looking for so now I have to look for something else. 4. I passed my driver s test. It was my third try. 5. I just arrived here and I don t know many people. *A. Says the statement. B. Repeats using a summarizing stem. A. Confirms (Yes, That s right, exactly) *From: Conversation Strategies David Kehe, Peggy Kehe ProLingua Associates 1994
Group Conversation Race to the Board The instructor poses a question. In small groups, learners discuss and agree upon an answer. Then one member writes the answer and then on the signal races to write the answer on the board. Possible questions Can you name? somewhere you see a no smoking sign (train) one of the colours in the rainbow (red) something a man likes to show off (car) a job you would hate to have.(undertaker) a famous painter((van Gough) something you like doing that isn t good for you (eating sweets) something that is considered bad luck (walking under a ladder) your favorite day of the week (Saturday) a game played at the beach (volleyball) something white (snow) something families argue over(money) something which comes in pairs (shoes) a food associated with Italy (pizza)
Surveys Simple surveys can fit any theme. Do you like Superstore or Safeway? Do you prefer fast food or home cooking? Do you live in an apartment or a house? Do you like TV or Movies? Do you take the c train or the bus?