Lesson 5 Basic English

We are continuing from the previous lesson on giving directions.  The same worksheet (Giving Directions) as the last lesson is used as we didn't manage to finish it.  The students completed the Directions worksheet which has questions 'Excuse me, where is the bank?' and then there are some symbols (arrows) or pictures to show what the directions are.

This last section is all about positions of a building i.e. between, next to, opposite...

There was a worksheet which the students should complete for the positions of the building however there wasn't enough time and the students just learnt the positions of the building.  Next week they will continue with the worksheet to check their understanding. 

I originally wanted students to practice asking and answering questions with the person next to them and for me to listen.  However the students in the class did not like this idea and preferred me to speak and them to repeat what I said.  I reckon that it is easier if they followed my idea as I would have a chance to hear them one by one and I could correct any incorrect pronunciation, but they are not comfortable with doing that.  Afterwards, as I was speaking to a colleague, she mentioned that the students in my class have never learnt like that before (asking and answering questions with the person next to them) which is why they are reluctant to do that.  This made me realise that not all learning methods are suited to the students especially this class and it is important that I make them feel comfortable and at ease as they will learn better.

The feedback from the students was that they understand the positions of the buildings as they used to be confused.  Basically I have cleared it up for them.

I thought that I have finished teaching the directions as I thought that the students would be bored if the next lesson was on the same topic and the worksheet that needs to be completed won't take all of the next lesson.  Some students wanted to change the topic but some mentioned that there is no rush to change topics.  I suddenly realised that I always seem to be rushing and keep thinking that the students would be bored as I would be if I were to learn a topic for a few weeks.  I have to admit that I totally disregarded the fact that these students are not fast learners due to their age and they rarely speak English with other people.  What they learn in each lesson takes them time to digest.  The comment that this student made enabled me to rethink the speed that I am teaching and to remember that there is no rush.