University-level conversation class ideas
 

Salut à tous!

I'm a young NZder working in France as a lectrice at a French University.

My classes are for the most part not too difficult; however I have a group of 3rd Year students (final year of their undergraduate English degree) and I have a conversation class of 45 minutes each week with them.

They are a responsive and well behaved class (I was teaching in a primary school last year, so imagine the difference!), however I am seriously struggling for ideas.

The only guidelines I have been given for this class is: get them to talk! I am not expected to teach grammar, to get through a syllabus etc, but just to get them talking. I don't want to play too many games, and I also want to teach them things that will be useful.

Tips? Hints? Suggestions?

All would be welcome

Re: University-level conversation class ideas
 

Sounds wonderful!

I have a few conversation classes too, and I often use ideas from the following great sites:
EFL ESL Lesson Plans | Heads Up English - Home
Breaking News English Lessons | FREE ESL Lesson Plans | Listening
There's a lot of material, too much in fact for only 45 minutes but you can change it to suit your needs.

Hope that helps.

Re: University-level conversation class ideas
 

Thanks for recommending my site, Clive!

If you only have 45 minutes, a lot of the articles you'll find at my site may be too difficult unless you assign them as homework. There are questions under Skill Builders: Speaking for Upper-Intermediate learners and Advanced learners on a variety of topics. Each set of questions combines close questions and open questions, and work well to build fluency.

Good luck.