In class with GE2

Monday 14 July 2008

Another classroom assistance with GE2 on my last week here. Time always flies when you are having fun, doesn't? Anyway, this week I am back to rather "passive" classroom dynamics. The reason I refer the class as a "passive" one is that students are not quite fluent in speaking English; therefore, there is less interaction between the teacher and the students. In contrary, the GE 4 students and above (including EAP and DEP)are more fluent in English, and they pretty know what they would like to get out of the classroom. Of course those classes involve more in the academic side.

The teacher started the class with the same routine of asking questions about their weekend activities and relaxation and explaining the itinerary for the day. The week theme for this week is Jobs and Work and so I was there at the right timing--as the teacher put it "an expert in English Business." I'm not quite sure on that note, but I would not mind taking it as a compliment anyway! Since students are not self sufficient in speaking English; therefore, there is more teacher centered. However, many creative activities are utilized. The teacher wrote down the letters of alphabet on the board and divided students into three groups. Then , she asked all students to come in front of the class, and each group wrote down names for jobs, work or careers starting with the alphabet they were assigned.

Then, students were assigned to ask each other, "What's my job?" and then worked on an exercise about collocated expressions such as in charge of, be responsible for. Then, they asked each other questions about their career dream. Here, I helped in asking questions to students and taught them how to speak English correctly. Before lunch time, students had a listening test and they were not very satisfied with the time limitation. Thus, I could see their disappointment and the tension of the class environment.

In the afternoon, the teacher had them write down some sentences using Past Simple and Present Perfect.

What I learned from this class by observing and helping was that teachers, in general, should speak slowly and less words in a sentence, so that students could grab the information given to them better. Furthermore, as part of learning, providing enough instructions and time limitation to work on any given tasks, as well as getting them to involve in contributing answers to an exercise, are vital. Otherwise, the teacher will be the only one who does all the jobs, but students don't learn anything.