Hi all,
As you know by now (for this is my umpteenth posting requesting advice and help) I �m a brand new teacher and I �ve got a very advanced class.
Here lie the problem: THESE GUYS KNOW EVERY RULE ABOUT GRAMMAR! They �ve been through ALL levels, graduated from one to the next, and KNOW THEIR STUFF.
Today was a �magic moment � day - I was gearing up to do my first (rather nerve-wracking) lesson in RELATIVE CLAUSES and THEY KNEW EVERYTHING!
Thank Goodness I was prepared for a complete change in lesson plan.
The advice I �m looking for is this: Is it ok to TOTALLY focus my lessons on SPEAKING (predominantly) and LISTENING/READING/WRITING?
One of my korean students came up to me at break and requested we have a debate when we go back into the class - she felt we were doing too much writing and studying of english and, by her own admition: "can do that on my own with my grammar book � - I of course am VERY OPEN to the idea - no one REALLY wants to teach/learn grammar, lets be honest.
I went back into class and had a short chat with the students about this - they agreed that grammar was not where they wanted to focus, but rather on speaking and listening - reading/writing sometimes, but not as important at SPEAKING.
Is this ok? Am I being a push-over in allowing my students to choose the lesson structure and focus? I �m all for autonomised learning (wish I had more control when I was at school) but is there �too much of a good thing? �
Again, these guys �n girls know and seem to have a good handle (possibly better than myself) and are ADVANCED - some doing the TOEFL next month. I feel OK, but I also don �t feel like I �m imparting any knowledge as a teacher would.
Thanks in advance for your advice and thank you in general for your on going support,
Regards from Sunny RSA:) (any South African teachers in other countries out there? would love to hear from you!)
AND THANKS TO THE TEACHER WHO POINTED OUT THE ERROR IN THIS AD! APPRECIATED!