In a previous post Edward explained how to use the Phrase cards to teach the phrases. As Edward explained, you create a sort of short story which uses the phrases. Actually, we have already created a large number of these, but there are still many more to create. Recently I enlisted the help of one of my high level man-to-man (private) students to create a short story using the phrases. Below is what she came up with. I thought it was really quite good.
I am using it with other students now. One thing to note is that you will have to teach the phrase “take advantage of” and the word “boost” to many students at the same time, but these are also quite useful for them. After having the students match the English phrase cards to the Japanese translation cards, I have the students PLUG IN the missing phrases, which I write on the whiteboard in red above their insertion points. I then demonstrate asking questions about the story by asking each student alternately a question which causes them to repeat a line in the story, thereby practicing the use of the phrase. Next, I have them TAKE TURNS asking each other questions about the story. So they get even more practice. After that you can either have the students ask more questions and make sentences using the phrases or you can expand the discussion by asking “why”, “who”, “where”, “when”, “what kind of”, and “how” questions about the contents of the story to get the students to think more deeply and OFFER UP their own opinions to answer the “wh” questions. This works well with red students and higher. So TRY this method OUT with your students. I think you will find that it works well. Also, let me know what you think about my student’s story below and let me know what kind of business you think she is in. You can include your guesses in comments to this post. One hint: She does not sell electronic components or products. Good Luck!
041-045 (Call up, Find out, Look for, Call on, Pick out)
Next week I’ll Panasonic to if there is a new business opportunity that we can take advantage of to boost our business. I’m always such new opportunities. Last week I checked my customer list and some who are opening up factories in China. So I am going to them soon.
Al-
Thanks for your extra effort in this process. It’s great how you include your students in the creative process and encourage a variety of different activities to help them develop ALL aspects of their English learning.
Edward, SSE Ohtsu