Speaking Topics Let’s talk about TEACHING ENGLISH Conversation cards How long have you been a teacher? Why did you become one? What you like about it? What don’t you like about teaching English? What can be done about this? How many students are in you classroom? How many students should ideally be in a classroom? How can we motivate our students to learn English? Discuss in group and report What is more important: fluency or accuracy? Explain your point of view What is more important: grammar or vocabulary? Why you think so? How much of an English lesson can be conducted in L1? – 10 – 25 – 50 – 90% Take a vote and discuss What can teachers to help students improve their English skills? Make a list How can a teacher maintain and enforce discipline in the classroom? Discuss possible strategies How important is building rapport? Compare you ideas with others What are the qualities of a good teacher? Work in a group and make a list of adjectives Choose that best describe you Are course books your best friend or your worst enemy? Explain your attitude and possible strategies Is it really necessary to teach grammar? After all, native speakers hardly learn any Discuss Do you make use of modern technology in your classroom? Explain What is the purpose of learning English where you teach? What should it be? ‘Dictionaries should be allowed during exams After all, they’re not banned in the real world.’ Do you agree? Explain According to you, how long does it take to become proficient in English? Compare with what others think How can teachers keep their lessons interesting and prevent students from falling asleep? How could you become a better teacher? Sit down and think for a moment what new techniques or approaches you might introduce into your classroom in order to make learning a better experience Quotes: Do you agree? Discuss • Good teachers are costly, but bad teachers cost more (~ Bob Talbert) • The mediocre teacher tells The good teacher explains The superior teacher demonstrates The great teacher inspires (~ William Arthur Ward) • Experience is the worst teacher; it gives the test before presenting the lesson (~ Vernon Law) • Experience is the best teacher of all (~ Harry Callahan) In my next lessons I will try the following: • …………………………………………………………………………………………… • …………………………………………………………………………………………… • …………………………………………………………………………………………… • …………………………………………………………………………………………… Speaking Topics Useful reading • • The Practice of English Language Teaching (Jeremy Harmer) Learning Teaching (Jim Scrivener) Useful links • • • • • • Teachers and Textbooks - a love hate relationship How to motivate students The Ideal Teacher Does a degree make a good teacher? My Teacher is a Computer How to improve your English