Day 612 - Spring Curriculum

Spring Curriculum Before (translated as directly as possible):

1. Self Introductions

--name, alma mater, hometown, family, hobby, etc

2. Aggressive Self-Appeals (internal characteristics)

--strengths/weaknesses, personality traits, interests, view on life

3. Making excuses, refusals

4. Appointments, invitations, schedules

--Travel expressions

5. Airport, travel destinations

Activities for Before Curriculum:

-->Dialog (content appropriate)

-->Expressions (practice, group-made examples)

-->Exercises (with Lindsay: bring students to subject actualization)

I expressed concerns that the students would not be able to study this kind of English. Although it's extremely useful and very important conversational English, my students simply lack the motivation or need to learn things like this. I said that it would probably result in a lot of frustration over a subject they already dread.

They had also recommended speaking tests that would count for 10% of the students' English grade and which would be comprised solely of what I taught in my class. My students only see me once a week, so it's really not often enough for them to practice their speaking enough to expect a 10% final speaking test from them.

The teachers gave their curriculum a try this week and, after one lesson, realized that the students really are struggling with that kind of English. The new curriculum, directly from the handout I was given:

1. World map - find the country

2. House - house work

3. Fruit - grocery store

4. Cook - recipe

5. Clothing - describing clothes

6. Symptom and injury

7. Jobs

8. Taking a trip

9. Nature - animal, plant name

10. Holiday

11. English composition

Beside English composition, this is muuuuch more in line with the students' average level. These kids, for the most part, dread English enough as it is. The last thing I want them to do is not look forward to seeing their native speaker. The more they look forward to class, the more energy they bring, and the harder they try to use their English facilities in the lesson.