Does someone have some ideas on working with classes that have minimal english

[warren.d.viljoen]

Hi all

i have discovered that one or two of my classes are really poor in english, so poor that even the current text book is above their level, any clever ideas how to make use of the text book but at the same time work with the kids on their current level and hopefully they would pick up as you move along?

thanks in advance

warren

[maria.pino88]

I am going through the same thing. I teach in a poorer district of the city, so it was pretty surprising to find out what I have. After I finish my introductory lesson, I am stuck deciding whether I should do a St. Patrick's Day lesson or focus more on something else.

I guess what I have been getting is trying to make it relevant to their lives (since they don't worry about taking exams at the age), and defining different parts of speech for sentence formation. Even if it's "the boy ran to the house," it's better than the level they are at right now. If anyone else has any more advice, I am very interested to hear your input.  :)

[joelkeitner]

I cannot stress enough how important it is to speak slow and really emphasize the content words (important words in your sentence) it is more important for their conversational skills to be adequately comprehensible rather than entirely grammatically correct... Even when we native English speakers talk in English we commonly break gramatical rules and yet we can understand eachother!

[Chato]

Maybe try to teach the same lesson to the classes that are lower level, but very very simplified. I have the same situation right now (I haven't met with my classes but have been told which will be the lowest) and I plan to teach simplified lessons with simpler goals for each class. This is so they are all taught about the same things and so I don't have to make an entirely new lesson from scratch.

[Dewald]

Firstly, I believe that not all the students might have poor English Language Skills. Thus, pair the faster and better learners up with the slower learners. This will motivate them and aid in their learning when you cannot assist them or are busy with something/one else. Otherwise, if your class really struggle, talk to them, play music, read and invite them to join. The more they are exposed to the language, the faster and better they will understand it.

[Dewald]

Firstly, I believe that not all the students might have poor English Language Skills. Thus, pair the faster and better learners up with the slower learners. This will motivate them and aid in their learning when you cannot assist them or are busy with something/one else. Otherwise, if your class really struggle, talk to them, play music, read and invite them to join. The more they are exposed to the language, the faster and better they will understand it.