If you teach ESL conversation classes one-on-one or in small groups, here are five things to avoid:
Talking Too Much
After small talk, keep your talk time down. Aim to have the student(s) do 70% of the speaking. Ask open-ended questions instead of Yes/No ones. Use a “Tell me more” approach. In group settings, have students talk together, while you play the role of a moderator. Guide the conversation without becoming the focus of it.
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Bringing Nothing
Even for a purely conversational English class, at minimum bring a pen and paper/laptop (to record mistakes) and some topics. While sometimes a conversation flows organically from ‘What’s new?’ into something interesting, it’s good to have some material (like a lesson or a video clip) to keep the convo flowing and to introduce new language. Dead air is as awkward on a date as it is in a conversation class. Also, bringing a grammar book (e.g. Murphy’s Grammar In Use) can be helpful and give you some authenticity.
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BS’ing
If you can’t answer a tough grammar question (e.g. relative clauses, mixed conditionals), tell the students you’ll look into it and get back to them instead of fumbling through it out on the spot. Students will appreciate your effort. You will also benefit as a teacher by learning about what you can’t already explain confidently.
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Being All Dead Inside
Students enjoy class more if they feel you are interested in what they say. English class can have therapeutic value because it gives students the opportunity to speak with someone who actually listens. While being attentive as a teacher, be supportive and understanding as a human being.
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Poor Topics
Students are taking an hour out of their schedule for this class. Especially at higher levels (B2+), students want to be engaged and learn something through the lesson’s content. Tailor the topics to your students’ interests, whether that be the corporate strategy of Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty brand or a new study on incel culture. Students won’t look forward to (or rebook) lessons on stale topics like their favorite movies or a new Pope.
If you are looking for lessons designed specifically for adult conversation classes, check out a free sample of our 450+ lessons on Englishcurrent.com
All the best with your classes.
Matthew Barton | Creator of EnglishCurrent.com (founded in 2011)
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