http://www.eslhq.com/forums en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:57:14 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.eslhq.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.eslhq.com/forums http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/frustrated-adult-learner-14443/ Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:21:45 GMT Hello, all!

I'm coming to you again with a bit of difficulty I don't really know how to address. I have a student who's been 'with me' for a long time. . . and now his English is quite good in a communicative sense. (I really need to practice teaching more discourse markers.)

The problem is that he thinks that he's plateauing with his English. There are words he forgets, but he knows he knew. And he realizes that he's making the same mistakes now that he made a while back.

Let me say this: I've told him that doing homework wouldn't hurt. (He doesn't have time. And, I teach a lot of his employees and they say he's a busy guy. I don't blame him.) And I've told him that the important thing to do is to focus on the vocabulary he needs, not all the vocabulary in the world. MY point was that he should try to spend time describing his day-to-day in his head, at least, to find the words he doesn't know. And not to worry about the words he won't use, anyway.

Anyway, any other ideas? Anything I can tell him--honestly--to keep his spirits up. Believe it or not (my school would be upset to hear this) I told him that his English is great and he doesn't need to keep spending money on small talk with me, but it's what he wants.

Thanks! ]]> Teaching ESL STCrowley http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/frustrated-adult-learner-14443/ http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/applying-celta-14375/ Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:14:35 GMT Hello.

I'm currently applying to attend the CELTA course in Seoul at the British Council. I've completed most of the pre-task, which is due in a little over a week or so along with my application. I have a couple of questions.

First, I'd say that I've answered the pre-task questions thoroughly. Each answer is rather long and goes into some detail, though I don't think anything is simply repetitive. I really wanted to explore as many angles for each question as I could, as well as explain my teaching ideas in detail. Is this a problem? Do they expect or want length in the answers? I'm sure they want insight, accuracy and ideas more than length, which I think I've given them. But I didn't feel I could really give those things without explaining for a few paragraphs. I also wanted to make certain that they knew I understood the grammar involved.

The second question I have is, how competitive is it? Is every CELTA center different? If anyone knows about Seoul's British Council, I'd be nice to hear your take on how hard it is to get into the program.

I've worked for the public schools here for a year and two months, but I've also run adult classes for the teachers. I feel that I've learned quite a bit on my own in that time about teaching EFL. However, I think I am ready for some structured training. As well, I want the CELTA certification as a boon for my resume and future job prospects.

If anyone has answers for the two questions above, I'd really appreciate the help.

Thanks! ]]> Teaching ESL Yawnpill http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/applying-celta-14375/ http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/one-one-adult-3-hour-private-lessons-14360/ Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:32 GMT Hi I'm newish to ESL and I have been asked by my new employer to carry out three 3 hour one to one sessions in a weeks time to a Paster from Israel. The only information I have is that he can speak some English and can write e-mails. He needs to improve his confidence particually with spoken English... any advice? I don't know where to start! The sessions will be one after the other, e.g. 3 hrs Mon, Tues & Wed.:confused: ]]> Teaching ESL Ellio http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/one-one-adult-3-hour-private-lessons-14360/ http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/good-business-english-book-14324/ Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:02:30 GMT Hey all, I am looking for a good and easy Business English book. Mainly, a book that covers basic resume, cover letter, and business letter writing would be wonderful. Things such as business etiquette, etc. are pluses too. Any recommendations? Hey all,

I am looking for a good and easy Business English book. Mainly, a book that covers basic resume, cover letter, and business letter writing would be wonderful. Things such as business etiquette, etc. are pluses too. Any recommendations? ]]> Teaching ESL teachingenglishmadeeasy http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/good-business-english-book-14324/ http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/private-esl-lesson-adult-14264/ Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:25:40 GMT Hi there,

I am teaching private lessons to adults in Buenos Aires and I wanted to get some of opinions from the more seasoned folks out there. My experience has mostly been teaching children and now it's quite a different thing that I'm doing.

I have a student who needs to learn more formal, business English because he has only 1 month to improve his English skills if he wants to get this really great job. He needs to increase his vocabulary and comprehensions skills and just obtain a higher level of proficiency. I'm sending him home with lots of themed vocabulary relevant to his job. We read articles together and talk about them. But we spend most of our time on grammar. I feel like it's really dry but when I try to do anything more "active" he doesn't seem to see the point (ie. role-plays, cherades, quick ordering activities, etc.).

He's pretty advanced and serious and I'm not quite sure if I'm approaching the situation in the correct way. Any advice or suggestions would be most appreciated! Thank you! ]]> Teaching ESL LeenaBuenosAires http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/private-esl-lesson-adult-14264/ http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/privately-tutoring-6yr-old-help-needed-14262/ Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:19:37 GMT Hello everyone,

I am brand new to this site so let me start by introducing myself. My name is Jacqueline, I'm 23 and Scottish, but working and living in Poland. I have been working in an English based pre-school here, but now taking conversational classes for kids and young people.

I have just taken a job with another school. They want me to privately tutor a 6 year old Polish boy, which I thought was all good as this is the age I am used to. However, looking at the school's website, I was sure that they had their own teaching methods and materials, but then I find out today that I am expected to plan every lesson myself! I did a bit of this with the pre-school, but it was always for large groups and mostly games, which obviously won't work with just one kid. Can anyone give any tips on how to get started and where to look for materials?? First lesson is this saturday!

Also, has anyone else come across this problem? This family are hiring me through the school to tutor their son. But as I've said, the school provide no materials to me, no training, no help at all. So why then do the school take payment??? For finding me on gumtree??? Obviously I need to start my own school!!

Any help will be much appreciated
Jacs :) ]]> Teaching ESL Jacs http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/privately-tutoring-6yr-old-help-needed-14262/ http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/australian-listenings-14229/ Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:05:39 GMT Hey - anyone know where I can get some listening exercises with an Australian accent. My student is moving to Oz and I need to give her some listening practice... - or some good podcasts so I can make the exercises. (obviously without swearing) ...Thanks. Hey - anyone know where I can get some listening exercises with an Australian accent. My student is moving to Oz and I need to give her some listening practice... - or some good podcasts so I can make the exercises.

(obviously without swearing)

...Thanks. ]]> Teaching ESL Klee http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/australian-listenings-14229/ http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/teaching-prepositions-14209/ Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:27:25 GMT Hello
prepositions are extremely difficult for students of EFL so I was wondering if anyone came up with a list of them with some examples that would include famous quotations or titles or lines from popular songs- something that would make them easy to memorize?
For example:

"addicted to love" (a song) ]]> Teaching ESL Beatrix http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/teaching-prepositions-14209/ http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/kotesol-international-conferences-14040/ Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:55:00 GMT Are you going? If so, I'd love to meet up with you. ]]> Teaching ESL teachingenglishmadeeasy http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/kotesol-international-conferences-14040/ http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/going-independent-not-14021/ Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:20:25 GMT I don't want to start a thread of let's-complain-about-our-jobs, but, well. . . I'm not crazy about the atmosphere at the language school where I work. And, I keep toying with the idea of just setting out on my own. . .

Who here has done it? What did you do? What would you do differently? Would you do it again? Is all the 'other mess' (billing and chasing after money, finding customers) worth the freedom you get?

Thanks!
-Toby ]]> Teaching ESL STCrowley http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/going-independent-not-14021/ http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/signing-up-celta-i-need-help-13992/ Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:45:48 GMT Hello. My friend is taking the Celta course in January 2010 in Manhattan NY. What type of salary can a graduate with a Celta Degree earn? For example: If he wanted to work in NYC, what kind of money can be earned? Can you make a comfortable living? I am looking for average pay information concerning new graduates completing the Celta course. Hello. My friend is taking the Celta course in January 2010 in Manhattan NY. What type of salary can a graduate with a Celta Degree earn? For example: If he wanted to work in NYC, what kind of money can be earned? Can you make a comfortable living? I am looking for average pay information concerning new graduates completing the Celta course. ]]> Teaching ESL sniper6 http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/signing-up-celta-i-need-help-13992/ http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/speaking-books-self-improvement-13951/ Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:17:59 GMT Hey, all. . .

I just got into the book "How to Teach Speaking" and I have to admit that it's re-excited me about my job and about my chances to do it even better.

Now, I want to know if you all have other books that you really recommend as something an English teacher 'has to' read. (Actually, my school has 'methods' and 'materials' unique to the school, so they don't encourage me to do my own thing. But I'm getting better results--and customers are happier--with my thing.)

I just wanted to know what books motivated the other teachers out there.
-Toby ]]> Teaching ESL STCrowley http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/speaking-books-self-improvement-13951/ http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/help-13939/ Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:59:41 GMT Hello!
So good that I have found this forum because I simply do not know what to do. I teach English in a secondary school and I have encountered problems that I have never expected. I mean , my pupils are very rude, they refuse to listen to me, they refuse to attend the lesson, to pay attention to anything that I say to them.I mean it's almost unbearable this attitude that they have and I do not understand what is happening. What is so strange is the fact that I am treated with hostility even before I start my lesson. It's looks like a sort of strage bullying.
If anyone has confronted with such a problem , please tell me what to do. I am simply disperate.
Thank-you in advance for your advices ]]> Teaching ESL adrimari http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/help-13939/ http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/ideas-mid-term-13904/ Sun, 27 Sep 2009 22:49:55 GMT okay, don't laugh, but, this is true.

I have 22 students in a 50-minute speaking class. I have to give them a mid-term worth 30% of their grade (yeah, not my idea). Any thoughts? ]]> Teaching ESL teachingenglishmadeeasy http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/ideas-mid-term-13904/ http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/order-teach-tenses-13832/ Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:20:31 GMT Hi, I have just started teaching one-to-one classes with a student who has only previously learned the present tense. Which tense would you advise me to teach next: a past or future tense? Does anybody have a list they could share with me with the best order in which to teach tenses. Thank you in advance. Hi,
I have just started teaching one-to-one classes with a student who has only previously learned the present tense. Which tense would you advise me to teach next: a past or future tense?
Does anybody have a list they could share with me with the best order in which to teach tenses.
Thank you in advance. ]]> Teaching ESL Valentina2 http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-forums/teaching-esl/order-teach-tenses-13832/