[neonyellowclover]

Here's something I do with my ESL kids and my German kids when they are having a difficult time speaking...

I give them a short story that's appropriate for their level. They read it and illustrate it - no written words. They retell the story in English (or German) to a classmate and then they retell the story to the class. After that it's much easier for us to discuss the who, what, where, when, why, and how's of the story. From there you can have them talk about what they would do differently, how they would make the story better, etc.