I often use “Let’s Talk” type question lists during lessons in my English conversation school, Smith’s School of English, Kawanishi スミ
ス英会話川西校.
Sometimes I base most of a lesson on these lists (some from the Smith’s School of English curriculum, and some lists that I have made myself to augment these), or sometimes to occupy the last 10 or 15 minutes of a lesson where an item or routine has finished early. Questions and answers have a dual purpose: to get the student talking, and also for them to practise using and answering questions. When I really want to get the student to open up and spend more time on a particular question, I use “Tell me about” instead of the usual “what or when or wh…”. So I’ll say “tell me about your favourite singer”, or “tell me about the country you most enjoyed visiting”. Then I can sit back and listen, while he or she can have an opportunity to say more than just answering a question.
The lesson usually opens up and becomes more enjoyable for students and teacher alike.
ジョン
スミス英会話川西校
John,
Keep up the good work! It must be interesting studying with you. Having lived in South Africa and the U.K., you have a lot to offer your students. And you are right, It is important to offer the students time to tell you about what they like and about their experiences in Japan and abroad.
Al
Yes Al. I use everyy opportunity that I can to give them time to tell me about their lives and experiences. Whenever there is an occasion, such as New Year, I ask them to tell me about what they did, and even what they plan for the future. Many of my students travel a lot and I always get reports on their trips. They really are such an interesting bunch.
John