help with teaching tips & strategies

arthur brode (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 18, 2006, 13:38:

corazon en colombia says on Jul 18, 2006, 13:59:

Hmmm, that's a hard one. Sounds like you don't know what you're doing but you want to look like you know what you are doing, well I don't think my suggestions will help that much, I'm afraid if you want to look like you know what you are doing, you have to actually KNOW what you are doing. There is a reason teacher's study how to teach...just a little friendly sarcasm from a teacher's point of view.

One thing that might help you is that teaching things in isolation (words, phrases) is not the best methodology to use when teaching a language. Neither is the grammar approach, learning every grammar rule in the book does not make you a fluent speaker. However, most Colombians really want to know grammar. I suggest you buy a book on English grammar as native speakers rarely know grammar rules for their own language (english or otherwise).

Brain research has shown that the best way to learn anything is by making connections to existing information and teaching it in context. For example, look up a little information on a subject in English, simplify it if necessary, and talk about it, perhaps make a list of the things that you already know about the topic in english and than add any new things you learn. You could do this for any topic of conversation.

Try not to translate everything. Use pictures, hand gestures, and other words to simplify language.

You could have the student make "a book" about themselves with simple phrases like: I was born in..., I have __ brothers and sisters., I studied to be a _________. I work for a company that...., My job is to..., My hobbies are..., Someday I would like to..., etc On each page you could write other phrases to remember that have to do with the same thing like Where do you work? What places have you visited? How many people are in your family? You can help them enhance their book with other phrases they will need and vary it according to the student's present level of english.

You could also go through a process verbally, to help with verbs(in present or past). First I do this...Next, Finally,

Just a few quick ideas I have used. I don't really know what else to say. You will have to be creative. There should be a lot of information on the internet for TESOL or ESL. Do some research, you will find there is a lot out there.

Colombia = paradiso

Colombia = paradiso

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omargue says on Jul 18, 2006, 14:15:

thanks for the help...1st i am going to increase the 1.5 hours to 20000 mil/hour because its far and i dont have a moto yet. also, the student i have knows some english, he can read and understand mostly. wants to learn more listening and conversation. he is a doctor and going to the USA in a few months for work related stuff and wants to learn mainly and solely conversation so he can be more fluent with it. any more help, keep it coming!

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airetuPaL says on Jul 18, 2006, 16:31:

Funny...what a stupid ploy HAHAHA!!! So you're an english professor?! and your asking us what to do?! What a joke! Another long list of so-called "english professors" in Colombia waiting to "tutor" young nubile Colombianitas. Everytime I go to Colombia, I see more and more A-hole wanna-be english teachers!

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Miguel_Clavo says on Jul 18, 2006, 16:56:

Iti is a pity that falsely impersonating an English Professor is not a shooting offense in Colombia! It takes a low class of person to pass one off as a English "Professor" when all you can do is speak it! It sure sounds like a type of fraud on your part, and a rip off of that doctors money in particular. And that doesnt even take into consideration that what he learns will even be intelligible to the rest of the english speaking world! Like they say, "trash in, trash out!"...sorry to be so blunt, but you will get over it i am sure! =)

Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo...Listo!! Libertad!!!...Colombia es pasión!

"F.A.R.C..S.U.C.K.S"

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

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arthur brode (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 19, 2006, 07:05:

arthur brode (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 19, 2006, 07:07:

omargue says on Jul 19, 2006, 10:12:

well 1st of all, im doing nothing wrong trying to teach english here in Colombia. I am a native english speaker and im helping people speak and learn english. Just like people who speak spanish fluently can help someone who speaks english how to speak. my student speaks english, just wants to learn more in the conversation aspect. and i know i can help him. all i asked for is some tips from people here, but i guess everyone is just hating on the fact that im trying to do my best here in Colombia. I really dont care about any blunt words because thats how i am myself. all i asked was for maybe some tips, but i dont know why `stobers or Miguel Clavo`get so upset. im not pulling any fraud, im teaching the man english, how to speak english in conversation. if me, a native english speaker can help someone who knows alittle english speak better, to me that means im doing my job correct. thanks again for everything, and keep it coming....haaa

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omargue says on Jul 19, 2006, 10:14:

well 1st of all, im doing nothing wrong trying to teach english here in Colombia. I am a native english speaker and im helping people speak and learn english. Just like people who speak spanish fluently can help someone who speaks english how to speak. my student speaks english, just wants to learn more in the conversation aspect. and i know i can help him. all i asked for is some tips from people here, but i guess everyone is just hating on the fact that im trying to do my best here in Colombia. I really dont care about any blunt words because thats how i am myself. all i asked was for maybe some tips, but i dont know why `stobers or Miguel Clavo`get so upset. im not pulling any fraud, im teaching the man english, how to speak english in conversation. if me, a native english speaker can help someone who knows alittle english speak better, to me that means im doing my job correct. thanks again for everything, and keep it coming....haaa

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corazon en colombia says on Jul 19, 2006, 13:48:

Teaching English if you are working one on one with someone who already has a knowledge of English and wants to practice conversation, I don't see a problem with that as long as they know what experience you do or do not have, I would not put a ad for english profesor in the paper if I was not one. Let people know you are not a teacher but a native speaker who wants to help them advance in English. You do know more English than they do, so you can help them learn something, which is better than nothing. However, if you do want to make a profession out of this, I would suggest getting some training, but if this is a way to maintain a traveler for a short period of time, go for it. Just be honest to your students about who you are. Talk away, talking is a much better way to become fluent in a language than studying a book. (Although grammar is necessary, it does not produce fluency.) If you are looking for conversation topics, there are so many...daily life, differences between cultures, recent world events, his/her profession, family, food, hobbies, interesting stories of things that have happened to people, etc.

Colombia = paradiso

Colombia = paradiso

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omargue says on Jul 19, 2006, 15:44:

Hey Stobers, RELAX.....

your taking this personal because you have a degree and blah blah blah. good for you and congrats on your hard work, but dont tell me to do you a favor and go back to school. you did what you did, and im doin what im doin. im not teaching your family, friends or anyone that you know. the student told me after the first class that he likes my approach and thinks that its worth the money.

Also and last but not least....there are many DIFFERENT ways of teaching. you just have to know what works for each person. you should know this, you are a teacher right? theres nothing wrong with what im doing....so just chill man....

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Miguel_Clavo says on Jul 19, 2006, 15:52:

You are just scamming that doctor out of his money! shame on you for advertising yourself as a "English Professor"! you are not anywhere near that qualified....quit trying to get over on the Colombians and get a real job, one that you are qualified for, and teaching english is not that job!....

Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo...Listo!! Libertad!!!...Colombia es pasión!

"F.A.R.C..S.U.C.K.S"

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

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omargue says on Jul 19, 2006, 16:02:

hahahaa i find this too funny to say....i am an english instuctor. the doctor knows what i do. He never asked me for any credentials, my fluency is my credentials. im not scamming anyone, i am teaching the guy the english language in conversation. anyone who is native in a language can teach one the language. you cant disagree on that. and if you do your crazy...
again, the guy knows how to read in english, he wants help specifically in conversation and pronunciation. i dont think only an `english teacher` can do that. by the way, i am Colombian, and im not tryin to scam no one here. and trust me, i would love a real job doing something else, but right now im settling for what i got. so whats the big deal with what im doing? i really dont think it is one at all...

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Miguel_Clavo says on Jul 19, 2006, 16:28:

Right,i am the crazy one....hows this sound? You post an ad as a Flight Instructor, and the Doctor responds. Here is the conversation:

Doctor: Hi, i am looking for a flight instructor.
Omargue: Damn, I am a flight professor! (but, in all reality, O has only been a passenger on an airline)
Doctor: Great, i like the way you talk! You are hired!
Omargue: Thank you Sir! (but thinking at the same time: Damn, now what do i do? i havent got a clue how to teach someone to fly! maybe i will post on Poorbuthappyflightinstructors.com" and find out what i need to do and maybe get some assistance? and how much i can bilk this stupid doctor for!!

So, Omargue, like they say, if the shoe fits, then enjoy your new dancing shoes! =) or wait! maybe you are a Salsa Professor also??? i can see what your next post will be asking for!. hahahaha...

Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo...Listo!! Libertad!!!...Colombia es pasión!

"F.A.R.C..S.U.C.K.S"

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

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Miguel_Clavo says on Jul 19, 2006, 16:33:

You sure sound like an "English Instructor" to me..... "but i have no experience at all."

"what are some techniques i can use in order for me to look like i know what im doing more."

are these not your posts, O? Nuff said....no need to respond! =P

Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo...Listo!! Libertad!!!...Colombia es pasión!

"F.A.R.C..S.U.C.K.S"

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

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honey says on Jul 19, 2006, 19:49:

DEAR ENGLISH PROFESSOR... ...and if you do your crazy...

...and im not tryin to scam no one here...

I'm a mere ELA (English Languag Arts) teacher (not a professor) in N.Y.C. and I can guarantee that none of my 8th grade students would make the errors that you, an English Professor, are making. Although you continue to stress that you're "teaching conversation," I am almost sure your student would cringe if he saw your writing.

"Teaching Conversation" is not an isolated aspect of a language. For example, your student will want to improve his accent and for that you need a linguistics background (to do it properly at least). In short, anyone who is native in a language CAN NOT teach a language. Your "fluency credentials" do not an English Professor make.

By the way, I was born in Cali and raised in N.Y.C. I never went to school in Colombia, but I was taught to read Spanish at an early age and read I did. However, it wasn't until college when I took Spanish courses that I learned grammar in Spanish and greatly improved my understanding of grammar in English. Consider taking a class, you will be amazed at how much a Professor can learn.

Life is what happens when you're busy making plans - John Lennon.

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Miguel_Clavo says on Jul 19, 2006, 20:40:

Well said, honey! and what the H%(& at ! is "fluency credentials"? does "ebonics" qualify????

Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo...Listo!! Libertad!!!...Colombia es pasión!

"F.A.R.C..S.U.C.K.S"

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

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hunjb224 says on Jul 19, 2006, 20:54:

Agree with Corazon If you just want to be a conversational practice partner that is cool, and maybe you can get some cash out of it. Your best bet would be to partner with a non-native teacher of english who knows the fundamentals but doesn't necessarily have the speaking part down. If you can't teach grammar and structure of language, you are essentially doing an injustice. There is a huge difference between conversational english and correct english. Keep the latter to professionals.

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honey says on Jul 19, 2006, 22:36:

Miguel... Under the present "credentials" requirement ebonics does count...Can you imagine that poor Doctor coming to the states and sounding like one of our inner city youth???? In fact, since I will be spending the rest of the summer in Cali I am now seriously considering brushing up on my Spanish grammar with some native speakers from Villa del Lago (or you can insert the estrato 2 Colombian neighborhood of your choice). I can see the faces of my students' parents on back to school night now...

Seriously though...Ebonics is part of (NOT TAUGHT IN) many alternative school programs that developed, in part, due to the need to improve Reading and Language Arts performance of inner city African American students. How fortunate that the true professionals out there figured it out and helped so many students. That's what those pesky degrees are for...oops I ended a sentence with a preposition...

Life is what happens when you're busy making plans - John Lennon.

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Miguel_Clavo says on Jul 19, 2006, 23:10:

In California, Ebonics got laughed out of town, after going over like a lead balloon!!! thank God for that!

Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo...Listo!! Libertad!!!...Colombia es pasión!

"F.A.R.C..S.U.C.K.S"

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

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arthur brode (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 20, 2006, 09:31:

Miguel_Clavo says on Jul 20, 2006, 14:33:

As the Institute cashes in, the students get cheated... what a great system! Like i said, Trash in, Trash Out! They have open positions so they scrape the bottom of the barrel (so to speak) to fill them with anything or anybody. I am not even a teacher, and i would hardly consider a native speaker as qualified to teach....Just listen to all the stupid sounding native speakers in the US you hear every day!!! I can not imagine these native speakers teaching anyone!

Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo...Listo!! Libertad!!!...Colombia es pasión!

"F.A.R.C..S.U.C.K.S"

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

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arthur brode (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 20, 2006, 14:49:

omargue says on Jul 20, 2006, 15:42:

damn, you guys here are something else...

1st of all, just like `arthur brode´ said,

¨here in Cali there are language institutes that will hire native english language speakers with 0 teaching experience , certificates, ect.¨

thats the truth because i went around to a bunch of them and they all told me the same thing. so just because i dont have a degree doesnt mean im not qualified to teach someone english.

another thing.....the way i type on this message board doesnt mean i speak like this, or teach like this. come on now, this actually came about on another post a couple months ago...i am just solely typing how i am thinking and how i speak, not how i teach. you peoples take this way out of proportion...i know everyone types different when writing emails or talkin to friends....dont be ignorant now....

also now for miguel clavo, you´re takin the flight instructor thing way out of context, its no where near what im doing. and also, if someone knows how to dance salsa, dont you think he can teach someone to dance it as well? or do you think he needs to have some years experience teaching salsa before he can be called a salsa instuctor and teach someone how to dance. am i right or am i right?...i just dont get you peoples.....im actually teaching the guy what he wants to learn and it is CORRECT ENGLISH. it doenst matter that hes a doctor, hes not even paying me much. everyone that i have spoke to, including all my family and friends think what im doing is great! im simply teaching someone what he wants to learn. i just dont see why everyone on PBH is so against this. but it doesn´t matter, none of yous are paying my bills, i am so thank you all again, and if you want to keep this going, be my guest cause to me its entertaining to see how you guys react to what im doing, because i guess i am a so called `hack`, why, i have no idea but its all good...peace out peoples!

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corazon en colombia says on Jul 20, 2006, 16:48:

Let's clarify... While you may be able to do some good, and even though you might be able to find a real job (yes, teaching is a real job) teaching at an institute, that does not make you "qualified to teach." If you want to be qualified, you need to have some knowledge and training beyond just being able to talk. There is a lot of interesting information you could learn about linguistics, language, and teaching strategies. These areas are fascinating! This could do you a lot of good. I understand what you are doing is just a temporary way to earn some money, but please do not make it sound like being a teacher is so simple that any guy off the street who speaks a little english could teach it. Or even worse that you are qualified to teach it. You are offering a service that is needed and for that you are receiving money. The service is in high demand, and therefore some people aren't looking for a highly qualified professional to teach them. Leave it at that and do the best you can with what you have. But I highly recommend getting some information. Do some research. You will be enriching your own life with knowledge and you and your students can only benefit from this!!!

Colombia = paradiso

Colombia = paradiso

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David in Idaho says on Jul 20, 2006, 17:47:

a suggestion for our "professor" Allow me to add my two pesos. I am a very qualified and experienced ESL and Spanish professor with an MA in linguistics and language instruction. I teach at two American universities, and frequently travel as a volunteer to give professional training to English teachers in other countries. I am certainly no stranger to the situation we see here with this "professor," and it is common for English teachers to feel that their turf is sullied when anyone off the street who happens to speak English attempts to pass themselves off as a qualified instructor. Make no doubt omargue, or anyone else in this situation, "qualified" means educated and experienced. I do know some good teachers who figured it out by trial and error and after years of experience are actually quite effective, but have no degree. And I know several newly educated teachers that still lack the experience to really teach effectively in any given situation. Although the example of the flight school might be a bit extreme, the point is valid. But since bad grammar isn't as life threatening as a plane crash, plenty of people are willing to hire unqualified "instructors" on the false assumption that fluency is enough. If this were true, teachers would have reason to go to school. Isn't that obvious?

I am currently studying Mandarin, and I have arranged a two-way tutor exchange with a Chinese student at a school where I teach. I consider her my conversation partner, a tutor at best, but by no means an instructor, and obviously not a professor! (Be aware that the Spanish "profesor" and the English "professor" are not the same thing. In English the title implies a high degree of education and preparation. In Spanish it is anyone who teaches.) I'm also not trying to screw her in case some of you read it that way; that would be a compromise of professional ethics, and Colombianas are so much better anyway.

Now, being a good sport, I will offer one more suggestion as you try to figure out how to teach. Certainly, I give you credit for trying to learn, if it is truly an improvement in your ability that you seek, and not merely an inhanced (yet false) image of professionalism. Go to Dave's ESL Cafe at eslcafe.com and there you will find a wealth of activities, strategies, and support aimed at unexperienced, unqualified people trying to become proficient in the art of language instruction.

Good luck, and be honest with your customers. Conversation partners are valuable, just not as valuable as teachers, instructors, and professors.

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arthur brode (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 21, 2006, 11:39:

corazon en colombia says on Jul 21, 2006, 13:23:

Very nicely said. I think you sumed it up very nicely. Thanks for your contribution David...

Colombia = paradiso

Colombia = paradiso

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bostonmickey says on Jul 21, 2006, 14:04:

Omargue Not everyone is offended at your attempt to improve someone's conversational skills--you said that your student knows what he is getting, right? Practice with your client, take hime out to places where he is forced to use his speaking and listening skills, create scenarios where he can practice and development better levels of comprehension and vocabulary. Make the experience fun and beneficial for both of you. Don't let the negatives get you down.

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David in Idaho says on Jul 21, 2006, 16:44:

I don't think anyone could be offended ... by a true desire to help people learn, be it conversational skills or anything else for that matter. Those who choose to get offended are reacting to the manner in which omargue markets himself, not with the acutal work he does, I believe. Like I mentioned earlier, he does provide a useful (and therefore billable) service. And bostonmikey, your advice to keep it fun is key! That is the best advice.

If I were in the woods and got injured, I'd be happy if an Eagle Scout came by with some knowlege of first aid. But if he introduced himself as a doctor, I'd have to laugh.

I may not speak for all teachers, but I am certainly not offended, just chuckling a little.

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vicshere says on Jul 21, 2006, 17:43:

shorts in a knot?? Boy you guys sure have your shorts in a knot over nothing.
Here is my take on the matter.
Almost any native speakers will make a better English teacher over a Spanish-English teacher (a non native speaker taught English other than in Us/Can./GB).
Of course if you have a University degree from the US and or studied English of course you will be a much better teacher than a normal native speaker, that goes without saying.
I am English Professor and I teach English at the local university. Believe me when I say some of the local teachers are just downright horrible. I wouldn't hire them to teach English to my neighbors dog. But yet they teach English at the university level and can barely put two words together.
Here is some statistics I put together from my first semester here.
This info will show how a native teach (jacinto) CAN have improved results over a Spanish-English teacher. I had the pleasure of grading my finial papers and the papers of three teachers who quit the last week of class.

Teacher Stats
Teacher Class code Total Pass Fail % Failed
bermude 01A 13 5 8 62%
bermude 03C 16 11 5 31%
bueno 05E 25 14 11 44%
calle 02B 16 5 11 69%
chavez 09I 18 7 11 61%
jacinto 04D 18 18 0 0%
jacinto 04I 19 14 5 26%
jacinto 06F 15 14 1 7%
jacinto 10J 12 10 2 17%
jacinto 04J 4 4 0 0%


Sorry couldn't get the columns to line up.
I hope you can figure it out??


listo
"con mucho gusto"
Vic

listo

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David in Idaho says on Jul 21, 2006, 18:12:

Interesting statistic That is interesting, and thanks for sharing. The native speaker definitely passed a lot more students.

I noticed a similar trend when I taught in Korea; even unprepared native English speakers were better than so-called "qualified" English teachers from Korea.

Furthermore, the level of English I find among participants of my teacher training workshops in Ecuador is often very low. I couldn't imagine trying to teach a language I had such little command of.

The world is obviously still screaming for English teachers, so pretty much anyone who can read Dick and Jane can find a job somewhere.

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Miguel_Clavo says on Jul 21, 2006, 18:31:

The Big A teaching english in Colombia?? guess that blows your theory out of the skyyyyyyyyyyyyyy..........=)

Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo...Listo!! Libertad!!!...Colombia es pasión!

"F.A.R.C..S.U.C.K.S"

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

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caslug says on Jul 22, 2006, 05:53:

omar.. your trying to earn an honest living.. can fault you for that.. NOW you know why i suggested taking a TEFL course.. it's gives you the basic.. BARELY.. if you PLAN to do this long term(1-2 yrs).. take the course.. if you are just earning beer money.. then forget the course. i found the course extremely helpful.. i also tutor and find that i'm actually able to explain why.. saying "i work last night" is wrong.. it should be "i workED last night" past tense.. many other things i am able to correct and explain to student..

sometimes, we hear a non-native say something, and know it doesnt sound right.. sure u can say.. dont say that.. say this.. but it's MUCH more effective if you can EXPLAIN why they should say the correct way.. beyond.. "it just sounds right"..

that said.. my advice.. build exercise that are STUDENT CENTERED.. in other words.. get your student to TALK to USE his english.. there's only 3 way people talk..1) they answer a question, 2) they ASK a question, & 3) they TELL a story.. get your student to do that kind of stuff. for conversational class. teacher should speaker LESS than 50%.. good luck!

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