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Teach Abroad teaching tips
Here is another great article by Allen Williams who has been
successfully teaching
English abroad for some time now.
Keeping Students' Interest in Class
One of the most difficult problems teachers face in the classroom is
keeping the students alert and interested.
Here are a few simple things you can try to help keep your students more
involved, and thus better able to learn:
1. Vary the rate of your speech. Have fun with this. Talk fast, talk as
fast as you can for 20 seconds. Talk exaggeratedly slow. I mean
suh-loooo-uuu.
2. Change the volume of your voice. Speak in an oratory, pontificating
fashion, or speak very, very quietly. Try using an overly loud voice.
This trick works very well, when placed within the 'speaking very
quietly' routine.
3. Change the pitch of your voice. I really enjoy doing this especially
when modeling conversations. Talk in a high pitch, drop very low, or use
accents.
4. If you speak another language, suddenly, earnestly, try to explain
something in that language. If you don't know any other languages, just
speak gibberish as if it makes sense. Look perplexed when they don't
understand. Then switch back to English.
5. Stop speaking and pantomime. Move as though you are speaking to the
class. Make gestures. Hold your hand to your ear and mime the words,
"Can't you hear me?"
6. Do recitations, I prefer Shakespeare, but will sometimes quote long
passages from movies and poetry. This is especially effective when you
are trying to emphasize how truly short passages in most conversations
really are.
Now, not all of these things will work, and not all of them will work
all of the time.
You may also find that you just are not comfortable with some of the
techniques.
Simply choose the ones you can use, try them and rely on them.
Be careful not to overuse any one single method and your class is sure
to leave students with the impression that you, and your class, and
vicariously, your subject is more interesting.
About the author:
Allen Williams is a professional educator, speaker, and writer. You can
find out more of what he is up to by visiting:
http://www.tcobag.com
kNow Thinking Aloud
-- or --
http://www.powermeup.com
Personal and Professional Growth
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