Yesterday I had a fun time with my last student of the day, I popped off to the toilet just before my lesson started and when I returned I was about to rush my student into the class but he was missing. I walked into my classroom and he was already seated, books and pens at the ready. The funny thing, is that we have three classrooms and he believed I was his next coach – he was correct! The lesson started a bit slow as he already had a lesson just before and said he was a bit tired, his interests of foreign culture and English speaking countries was a subject dear to me so I could have easily gone with a Free Conversation, but I finish up with a Directed Conversation. It was great I got my student too talk about many things, he talked about his love of South Africa and the many business trips he has done over seas. I told him a story about British Empire and my love of History! So in return I asked questions so he could tell my story back to me. I was happy I chose this style as I could hear my student elicit loves of my own, and we both agreed that English people should once again head for the seas and move out from our little country and enjoy the world, I really enjoyed this lesson a lot!
Simon,
Glad you are enjoying the Smith’s curriculum and all it has to offer. If nothing else, it allows students and coaches to have a directed conversation followed by concept checking or listening checks using the routine questions as a base. Easy to use AND a fantastic tool for teaching (and learning) English.
Edward, SSE Ohtsu