While my job is to teach English I find that the best way I can help students improve their communication skills is by getting to know them. Teaching grammar is essential in the beginning levels but as students improve the more we can understand who they are as people the better we can teach them. It’s great finding out what students really love and discussing it with them during our free conversation time. At times students do need to be taken out of their comfort zone and have to deal with topics they are unfamiliar with as they will lead to new vocabulary and really challenge students. However people in general like talking about themselves, I know I do, so I encourage my students to share their lives with me. This month I learned that one student was having a photo exhibition so my wife and I decided to head down to Umeda and take a look. As photography is one of my interests it really inspired me. In fact I took more pictures yesterday than I had in over two months (well, excluding pics of my kid). When I get a chance I’ll upload a few for people to take a look at. Later this month I’ve been invited to my student’s “Nou” performance and I’m really looking forward to it I’ve never had a chance to see it performed before. Although I can’t attend everything I’m invited to I really do appreciate being asked. All I can say is that it’s great being an English teacher in Japan.
Adrian
Personalising lessons allows students to discuss their interests and therefore they tend to be more outgoing. Part of coaching confidence is doing just that- finding something to get the students going. It also gives students a sense tat they are communicating something useful (their interests), rather than some pre-made “phony” lesson about an unreal situation that likely doesn’t relate to them. Personalised! Nice.
Edward, SSE Ohtsu
I agree. Our jobs here are about so much more than just teaching English. You’ve hit it on the head…personalizing a lesson is also about the student knowing you know them individually and you’re interested.
Adrian,
I agree 100% with what you are saying Adrian. If you can focus on the student’s interest areas, you can get them to start to use English to explain why they like it and what they hope to do. It is a great way to get the students to open up. As Edward says, much better than a “phony” lesson about made-up people. Making it “real” is what we at Smith’s strive to do. We want our students to use English for a real purpose.
Al Bartle, SSE Okamoto