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  #1 (permalink)  
Unread Jun 27th, 2009, 10:21 am
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Join Date: Apr 5th, 2009
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Default Re: Help needed for an adolescent discussion group!

My first question would be this: do the topics interest them? Be willing to talk about girls, sex, school, why school sucks (that's one of the few topics that I got my teenagers animated about--more on them in a second), or whatever they're really interested in. Or, have them teach you about something. (This has worked well for me, too. They love asking me questions and finding out I don't know.)

What I really wanted to say, though, is that some students are more difficult than others. Have they been sent to the camp because they're difficult? The only teenagers I've ever had were a pair of teenaged brothers whose parents paid for our school (private language school--expensive) because the kids were impossible. All I could get them to talk about where school being stupid, hating the Army (their father was in the German Army. They had to learn English because he was being sent to the U.S.) and fishing. The one who barely never spoke was willing to do--no exaggeration--a half hour presentation on the fantasy world in his favorite series of novels. He treated me like an idiot with each question I asked, but he answered them.

Does that help at all? I'm game to brainstorm with you, if you think you're already using 'cool' topics.
-Toby
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  #2 (permalink)  
Unread Jul 3rd, 2009, 08:02 am
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Join Date: Dec 19th, 2006
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Default Re: Help needed for an adolescent discussion group!

Pop Stars or Film Stars.
Have them cut out their favorite stars from magazines and describe them. This can range from " He has got brown hair" to " she is wearing a ridiculously short skirt" - you get the idea
Good luck!
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Unread Jul 4th, 2009, 05:24 am
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Default Re: Help needed for an adolescent discussion group!

Quote:
Quote STCrowley View Post
Be willing to talk about girls, sex, .....
I would not recommend talking about sex with 13/14 year-old boys in a classroom or anywhere for that matter. OP, find out what they are interested in a build a complete lesson around it. Just asking questions won't do much unless:

A - You're enthusiastic about it (or at least pretend to be)
B - You have a complete lesson plan built around it
C - several other reasons....

If you want, check out my website and check out the speaking worksheets and handouts, ESPECIALLY the ones with videos. They may help you.
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Unread Jul 4th, 2009, 10:35 am
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Default Re: Help needed for an adolescent discussion group!

Quote:
Quote teachingenglishmadeeasy View Post
I would not recommend talking about sex with 13/14 year-old boys in a classroom or anywhere for that matter

Totally agree there. In some countries it might not be "politically correct" and you might embarrass yourself and your students
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