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Q: Can someone help me create a more engaging and informative lesson plan?

Hello I just started working at a school in China less than a week ago and I am teaching students that are 14 and 15 years old. I also just received the book yesterday and I have already received a complaint from one of the other teachers that the students do not seem to be interested in my classes and my lessons need to be more engaging. The school has not given me guidelines on what I should teach or even anything like a syllabus. Could anyone help me out like show me a website that could help me. Also does anyone have any English games that would be suitable for students in this age group (14,15, and 16). 

 

Thank You.

8 years 27 weeks ago in  Teaching & Learning - China

 
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Honest answer - if you can't teach, don't.

 

It's not about the school, the resources (or lack thereof) or curriculum - it's about you. Any qualified teacher with a modicum of know-how can adapt and research. If you can't, you are doing a disservice to the students.

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8 years 27 weeks ago
 
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Have a look here:

 

Teaching with video:


http://teachabroadchina.com/TACA/content/teaching-english-through-video


Web site for games in the classroom:

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/



Songs:

http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/songs

while mostly for kids, you may find some that can be used


http://answers.echinacities.com/question/do-you-know-interestinglive-classroom-games-winter#answer32013

http://www.mes-english.com/ All kinds of resources for teachers, including flash cards and games

http://www.pdictionary.com/english/flashcards.php

http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/songs

http://www.teachchildrenesl.com/

http://www.bogglesworldesl.com/

http://a4esl.org/



5 websites to learn English:


http://justthink.org/curriculum/english-as-a-second-language/?gclid=CNTuybCp76wCFQNz4god00z3JA


Games:

- Have some sort of team activity that you can turn into a competition, such as getting them to match words with opposite meaning. I have done this with about 50 pairs of words (100 words in total)

- Giving advice to a stranger is a great adult game that can easily kill half an hour. Give everyone paper and a pen. Have everyone write 1 problem. Have everyone crumble their paper and put it in a cup. Each student will choose 1 problem and give the 'stranger' advice. Excellent speaking activity.


- Different ages? Different games.
Sentence game: Write 5 sentences on the board, number them 1 - 5. No. 6 is the monster. They will do everything with the die to make it land on 6 so you can grab them and eat them! Kids age = 5 - 7
Sentence game: Same as above but throw a 6 they have to change seats. Mark one chair with a cross. No-one is allowed to sit there.
Sentence game: make some action cards such as - Stand on one leg for 15 seconds, Do 5 push ups, Dance with the teacher. Sing a song. I do about 5 actions and if the student throws a 6 they select an action card.
Spelling game: Divide the class into however many teams you need. About 5 or 6 to a team maximum. Divide the board into 2 columns, 1 side for each team. Hand the first student in each team a marker. Yell out one of the words they have been learning and then it's a spelling relay. Each student runs to the board, writes a letter, races back to the line passing the marker, next student writes the next letter and so on. Not only great action for the kids but hilarious when you point out errors and weird looking letters written in a hurry!
Games are only limited by your imagination. Some more sophisticated games you can play with the older students. In another answer to a similar question I described my magnetic letters game. I play 2 to 3 games per lesson if it's a 2 hour class. But I also with hold games if the class misbehaves.
I have just downloaded Scrabble and played that last week with the kids. The best they can do is 3 letter words with an occasional 4. Wifi mouse, projector and screen and classroom computer required.


- My kids go nuts for it.  I combine it with
tic-tac-toe, where if the kid guesses a letter right they put up a thing
for their team on the tic-tac-toe board.  You can mix up the tic-tac-toe
pieces too, X's vs. O's, sun vs. moon, ice cream vs. cake, whatever you and
the kids can draw.

- I also play pictionary, where I choose 1 kid and write down a word in a
notebook.  Secretly show them the word, and they have to draw it, while the
class guesses what he's drawing.

- My favorite game to play (but best for small classes) is "I'm going on a
trip and I'm gonna bring" (or "I'm going to school and I'm gonna bring" or
whatever.)  One kid names something to bring, the next kid names the first
item and adds one, keep adding one until you can't remember them.  Make
sure they say the whole sentence every time.  Also, point to the kids to
help their memory (point to student 1 to name first item, student 2 for 2nd
item...).  Make sure the kids know they can say silly things (i.e. "I'm
going to school and I will bring grandma").  Once they understand the game,
you can vary it by using the alphabet, (student 1 - an A word, 2-B and so
on).

- Lastly, a game I made up that works pretty well is to draw a lower case "T"
on the board, with "start" on the top left and "End" on the top right (a
simple chart).  Next, write "start" in the T, with the first two letters
seperated on one side and the others on the other side (ST|ART).  Now,
below that, keep the ST from start but have the kids think of a new word
(example stand).  Now, keep the ending but change the beginning (___|ND).
 I've found two letters work best, and if they're stuck do 1 letter.
 Alternate between beginnings and endings.  It's a good way to practice
rhyming and alliteration, which I don't think students get to do often.
 I've tried to think of a way to add a point system to the game, but
haven't found a good one without one team always doing starts and the other
always stuck with ends.

Lets see if this works as an example:

*START | END*
       ST |ART
        ST|AND
       HA|ND
       HA|
 

Loads of them you can play. Depends a lot on what kind of resources you're
working with...

- if you have a whiteboard, you can do lots of things like race games with
markers where you yell out numbers, words, etc...and two have to run to the
board and write it down.

Sticky balls also work great - you write down a bunch of words and then
they have to hit the one you say out loud with the balls.

- Cut a sentence or text in strips of paper and ask the kids to put it back
in order. Have it be a competition.

It's usually the best age group - those kids really love whatever you throw
at them. Just make sure it's presented as a game, of a competitive nature,
and they'll love it


- I play different types of games. I play counting games, flash card games
then we have our outside games and then other games. My counting games
would include 4 corners and rocket countdown. My flash card games include
the hammer game, slow motion, hidden pictures, pop goes the weasel. We have
outside games to but you wanted classroom games so I do have other games
that aren't counting games or flashcard games such as alphabet train game,
roll call game and magic word. We also play simon says for learning body
parts as I have a lesson on body parts at least once a week.


Games in the classroom:

- What time is Mr. Wolf?
- Modified version of Beer Pong. Cups with water and a ping pong ball.
- Giving advice to a stranger.
- Random reading games.


 
Twisters:

I focus on only a couple RELEVANT twisters based on students usual problems
- /th/, /dzh/ and the /f/ and /l/ issue.


- All loyal warriors will rarely worry why we rule.

- whether the weather is hot, whether the weather is cold, we'll weather
the weather, whatever the weather.

- She threw three free throws.

- Theophilus Thistle, the thistle-sifter, sifted a bag of unsifted
thistles. (they groan when they first see it, but by the end of the time,
they're fine with it!)

- Her seizures usually impaired her vision (many get 'seizures' and
'vision' right, but say 'urali'in the middle...you'll need to explain what
a seizure is)

- He measured his pleasure in treasure.

After that, I give them specific words to practise - this, that, then,
there, with, math, bath, etc etc... you need to have BOTH /th/ sounds, AND
in ALL positions in the words - beginning, middle, and end... or they end
up doing 'thank you' perfectly, but still say 'nossing'.... or 'wiz'.


- Soggy Sandy Sat Somewhere Safe So Sally SOSO should Save Sammie

- Big Bold Beautiful Billy Bossed Bender Back But Butchered Bobby

- Coco Cream Coconuts Covered Candies Caught Chris Chocolaty

- Elephant Ears Easily Eases Edwins Eggs Enough Each Evening

- Red lorry, yellow lorry. (repeat 4 times)

- The thunder tore through the thicket, where there were three thousand three hundred thick and thin trees!
 
- That thunder thinned out those trees!
 
- Theresa the tree keeper, thinks thoughts about the trees in the thicket as there are now only three hundred trees there!
 
you may have to explain 'thicket', 'tore' and how to pronounce 'Theresa'
 




pronunciation practice:


usually (Pingshi), unusually (Bu xunchang), seizures (Dianxian fazuo)
rural (Xiangcun), bugs (C),  brown (Zongse),  vacuum (Zhenkong),
truth (Zhenli), traffic (Jiaotong), trespassing (shan), threw (reng),
trophy (Jiangbei), Bite me! (Yao wo) smile (Weixiao), smell (xiwei), zoo
(Dongwuyuan), So long! (Zhème jiǔle!), cross (jiaocha), abroad (guowai),
especially (Youqi), recently (Zuijin)



TOPICS for discussion:

16Y

- romance

- talk about yourself

- tell jokes about laowai

- make a sketch or play (act), group role play:

# policeman - defendant;

# coach - champion;

# tourist - city guide; - Thematic Book ListsToys That TeachiPad/iPhone App:
Math Flash Card GameNote: Most of these resources require the flash plugin and won't be visible on mobile devices. We are in the process of creating mobile friendly versions, but they won't be ready for awhile.Printable Flash Cards:- Addition Flash Cards (Mini)Clock Flash CardsCounting and Number Recognition Flash Cards (Preschool - Grade 1)Division Flash Cards (Mini)Dolch Sight Word Flash Cards (Interactive "Talking"), Alphabetical Order, Word Jumbles, Word Search PuzzlesFingerspelling Letters of the Alphabet Flash Cards (Sign Language)Multiplication Flash Cards (Mini)Subtraction Flash Cards (Mini)Word Family (Rhyming Words) Flash Cards (Interactive "Talking") - ab, ack, ad, ag, ail, ain, ake, am, ame, an, ank, ap, at, ay, eat, eet, eed, ell, en, ent, est, ew, ick, id, ide, ight, ill, in, ine, ink, ing, ip, it, ock, op, ope, ore, ot, uck, ug and ump.Other Popular Printables:- 100 Number Charts- 2013 Blank Calendars by Month2013 Holiday Calendars by MonthLetters of the Alphabet Coloring PagesState Birds Coloring SheetsState Flags Coloring SheetsState Flowers Coloring SheetsState Maps Coloring SheetsState Quarter Observation SheetsState WorksheetsOther Coloring PagesU.S. PresidentsPoetry by Theme (see: How to Print Stories and Poems Video)- Short Stories by Theme (see: How to Print Stories and Poems Video)

Quinn68:

The games you're advising him to use are not age appropriate. He teaches high school level students.

8 years 27 weeks ago
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icnif77:

I hope, you're not asking me to defend my 'freebies'.angel

 

If you can't find brazillion posted web links useful, I'd say 'you should go back to the valet parking job'. 

8 years 27 weeks ago
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royceH:

You are formidable!  Great effort with this answer.  I've hardly been around for a few months but I would think this is your best answer ever.  

How's The Beast going?

 

8 years 27 weeks ago
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icnif77:

'They've checked the teeth of the gifted......'

 

The Beast is resting, because 'operator' is resting too. angel

 

Stop copying 'my' web links, you all.

 

 

8 years 27 weeks ago
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nashboroguy:

You put a lot of time and effort in assisting this new teacher. I think that is very admirable on your part. I hope the person appreciates it. But, I really have to agree with the nay-sayers on this one. Teaching is not for everyone. And, if they are having trouble, perhaps they are not prepared enough to teach. I for one am all about my kids and their learning. I am devoted to my profession and to be the best I can be. It is not hard to go on the internet and find resources to use in ESL. If a person is not able to do that, then they should just go home. Among the many qualities a teacher should have, a teacher should be creative, entertaining, engaged, devoted, and have some experience working with children. If you do not know how to make a PPT, learn. If you have no idea how to use YouTube videos, learn. If you do not know how to search the internet for materials and information, learn. This person should show that they are putting forth some level of effort. Perhaps they are and did not articulate that well. It amazes me how many people think being a teacher is just teaching from a book. And many people who claim to be teachers do skate by with just teaching from a book. That is sad. You are not giving your students any hope of learning from you. You are just collecting a paycheck and are helping your students to fail. I know there are many problems with the Chinese education system. I know all about the negative comments teachers use to defend their inability to teach effectively. I know. I have used those same comments in the past. But, I never give up. I fight for the education of my students. I try to find solutions to the difficulties I have in overcrowded classrooms, poorly equipped schools, horrid textbooks, and so on. Take pride in being a teacher.

8 years 27 weeks ago
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VeraViona:

cool!

8 years 27 weeks ago
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8 years 27 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1845

Shifu

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Don't worry too much about the complaint. It is very common for some advice or minor complaint to be given during the first week. I think it is a case of the person assigned to look into your classes making themselves look like they are working hard.

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8 years 27 weeks ago
 
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Honest answer - if you can't teach, don't.

 

It's not about the school, the resources (or lack thereof) or curriculum - it's about you. Any qualified teacher with a modicum of know-how can adapt and research. If you can't, you are doing a disservice to the students.

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8 years 27 weeks ago
 
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Here is how it works...

 

Challenge the students to work hard/be creative:  "Boring class!"

Not watch movies/TV shows every class: "Boring class!"

Focus on teaching and learning instead of playing a bunch of stupid games: "Boring class!"

 

 

 

The truth is, you are not expected to ACTUALLY teach.  You are an expected to be an Edutainer, not an educator.

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8 years 27 weeks ago
 
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Yeah I will have to find a new school to work at now. But thanks for your suggestions. This was actually my first time teaching and they didn't even give me a book until after the first week of class. It's not that I cannot teach it's more that I just started teaching and they never told me exactly what I was supposed to teach. 

 

Thanks everyone for their suggestions. i will use them on my next job. 

 

Thank You.

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8 years 26 weeks ago
 
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"It's not that I cannot teach it's more that I just started teaching"

 

I'm not seeing any relevant difference between those 2 statements. Teaching isn't something that you just do a short course on, and then you have mastered it!

 

So, no, if you've only just started teaching, then no - you can't teach!

 

 

A few more handy tips, to add to Icnif's -

 

word tennis - 2 students opposite each other and have to bounce words off each other. Pick topics - eg, fruit, cities in Europe,  Chinese provinces... probably a good way to have them do vocab lessons on various topics.

 

No 'yes/no'... 2 people (usually students, but it's fun once they get the hang of it, and you start playing against them). Also, in 2 teams, so there is that element of competition. They must have a conversation, and cannot use the words 'yes' or 'no'. Obviously, hmm, mm-mm, uh-huh, etc are also not allowed. Easy to get them to lose - "how old are you?" "15" "15??" "yes... d'oh!"

 

Questions only - 2 students have a conversation that must only consist of questions - not statements. The conversation must actually make sense (not random Q's).

 

 

granted, for many of these, only the stronger students tend to get involved.

 

 

Also remember - in China, language education is merely rote copying, and grammar translation. Figure out what the other teachers are teaching, and just try to incorporate that into what you do. Let them 'teach', and you to reinforce that teaching, in a way that is relatively useful. (that is, if you care!)

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8 years 26 weeks ago
 
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I do care it's just that I wish I would have been given more than 2 weeks of teaching to improve. I'm not sure it's my teaching either the head master told someone from the company i work with that he doesn't like my "tone" when I speak English. 

 

But Thank you for your recommendations. 

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8 years 26 weeks ago
 
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Have a look here...

Youtookthejobnotkowinghowtodoit.com

nzteacher80:

Lol. Yeah I got this job as a doctor. What's the difference between the anus and the elbow? Can anyone help me?

8 years 25 weeks ago
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8 years 26 weeks ago
 
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General

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Hey Shepard, if you need a new placement I can help you Smile

This is my second time teaching in China, and it isn't easy, but don't give up!

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8 years 25 weeks ago
 
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Thank You haideeleigh. So now I find out today they want me to work the next month. I have no idea why they told me this stuff and made stress out like crazy and try to find a new job. 

Chewbacca:

They wanted to replace you but couldn't get a new teacher in time. Be warned they are in the process of replacing you and when the replacement teacher arrives (it takes about 1 month for all the paperwork) then they will disgard you. You should continue looking for another job.

8 years 25 weeks ago
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8 years 25 weeks ago
 
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Yeah Chewbacca you were right about this. I was looking for another job when they told me i could stay another month then a few days ago they're like o we've hired someone else now. So now I've contacted the other schools that I was talking with before they told me I could stay another month. Too bad I didn't read this last week. If I had I wouldn't have turned down the job offers that I had.

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8 years 24 weeks ago
 
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My advice? Take a TESOL course to learn how to teach English as a second language, take one where you have to teach a  class under supervision. Use Coursera.org to find MOOC courses to update your skills. You need more than the textbook and a few games from the internet before you stand in front of a class.

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8 years 23 weeks ago
 
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