Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Note: This lesson is derived from techniques researched and developed by Don
Maybin of the Shonan Institute of Technology (donmaybin@hotmail.com) and
may not be used for commercial purposes.
Level: Upper-beginner.
Objective: To teach students phrases and keywords to help them control the
flow of a conversation.
Plan:
4. Put Ss into groups of 3-5. [Option: Give one student in each group a
microphone (marker or other object). The person with the microphone in
each group is the only one allowed to talk. This will encourage student
participation, as each student must pass the microphone after talking.] Ask
theme-based questions. The goal here is for students to control the
conversation by askin questions, until each group understands the question
(they should NOT give the answer yet). Start talking about ponyo or
another theme that the students can recognize, but include other
languages/ difficult English words, and speak quickly. Each group may sit
down when the group understands the question. Seeing other groups sit
down will will put pressure on the students to think/work faster. Then, the
students discuss the answer in their groups. When all groups are seated,
confirm what the question was, and the answer. Play again with a different
question.
Question ideas:
What was the first environmental-themed motion picture produced by Miyazaki?
What was the name of the former hauptstadt (capital) in Japan (Japan) prior to Edo?
Which American feiertag (holiday) celebrates the deceased via kostme (costumes) and
festen (parties).
5. Copy a page from a textbook the students are currently reading. Ask
questions about what is on the page (content). Students must ask clarifying
questions. Once all students in a group understand the question, they can
sit down. When all groups are seated, they may turn over the book/page and
the first to find the answer, stand up and report it wins. This encourages
questions and fast reading. Option Student replaces teacher after a few
rounds.
Example questions:
What is the capital of Germany?
What is translation of Friedensdorf in English?
How long is the commute from Oberhausen to Frankfurt?
How many children at Friendsdorf have a limp?
What do the children at Friedensdorf receive?
By Bryan Darr
CONTROL
When you speak English, you must CONTROL the conversation. There are 3
steps.
Pardon me?
I dont understand.