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Author Topic: How can I make middle school students speak more?  (Read 379 times)

Offline Toots5

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How can I make middle school students speak more?
« on: January 02, 2012, 08:16:59 pm »
I have been teaching two groups of about eight students for over a year now. These students have good days and bad days, but today they were very quiet. I just don't know what I can do to make them speak more. I think that they are too advanced for games and such. Any ideas?

Thank you in advance.
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Offline Sunnystreet

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Re: How can I make middle school students speak more?
« Reply #1 on: March 04, 2012, 07:24:25 pm »
I think all students will enjoy games, if you introduce a bit of competition.

You could make speaking and listening cards where they have to think of a response to certain topics for a few minutes and then share with their partner.
eg. If you rubbed a magic lamp and a genie appeared what would you wish for?
     If you could be invisible for a day what you do? ....
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Offline bethanyjh

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Re: How can I make middle school students speak more?
« Reply #2 on: March 04, 2012, 08:38:35 pm »
I love the open-ended card idea. I plan to make some to use on quiet days, or for those wonderful moments when there's a little too much extra time at the end!
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Offline wtoddm

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Re: How can I make middle school students speak more?
« Reply #3 on: March 04, 2012, 11:05:49 pm »
You can even base it on a picture relevant to your lesson. For example, "name three things in this picture" which can get the low level students to enter the activity ("hey! I can do that!"). Next, "make one sentence about this picture" and give varying points for a quick response and a lengthy, detailed response. That way, you get not only the low level students involved, but also let the advanced students try out some creativity.
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"Our doubts are traitors,
And makes us lose the good we oft might win,
By fearing to attempt." - Shakespeare, Measure for Measure

Offline aarolye

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Re: How can I make middle school students speak more?
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2012, 07:51:01 am »
i like the open-ended questions too! I gotta sit down one day and think of some more.
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Offline Wintermute

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Re: How can I make middle school students speak more?
« Reply #5 on: March 05, 2012, 08:47:25 am »
You should never make your students talk, but rather encourage them to talk. Find things they are interested in and can relate to, find things that interest them into talking, instead of making them talk about things they could care less about. You should encourage the students to speak by being exposed to English in a context that they are already engaged in. Just my two cents.

I agree with Sunnystreet, all students enjoy games, and competition makes it that much better. You said these were advanced students? So really no student should feel lower than the other.
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Offline jukeboxy

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Re: How can I make middle school students speak more?
« Reply #6 on: March 05, 2012, 09:36:11 am »
Well middle school students love talking about k-pop so how about a lesson about k-pop.
It always helps to put in a few dance moves of your own to show them that you know their stuff.
Making a fool of yourself always helps.
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Offline Wintermute

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Re: How can I make middle school students speak more?
« Reply #7 on: March 05, 2012, 10:12:17 am »
yeah if its:

MS Girls: K-POP and Twilight
MS Boys: K-POP and Soccer
ES: K-POP and Pororo
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