ESL/teaching English job: Nordhausen July 14 through September 21, 2009

[Scott Graham]

Hi, yes it's quite central, http://home.arcor.de/marc.lapp/ its a bit 'No thrills', but its clean and comfortable and if you book more than one night its only €15.50 per night.
I walk to the training centre each morning and it only takes 20 minutes, its also only 10 minutes to main station.
As for the smell, no in the actuall pension the pigs stench doesn't quite reach, but at the centre it smells most mornings.

Scott
_________________
By learning you will teach; by teaching you will learn.

[Scott Graham]

Monday 3rd
We began today with all ss registering to 'english-test', I thought they had already done this but this morning I learnt they had been doing the tests offline. After each registered I exlained to them how to use the site including the tests and forum threads. I asked each member to complete 2 online tests and explained the benefit of the progress report for us as trainers and also for themselves to monitor their own progress.
I then set them a task to review the use of simple past, I asked them to compile a detailed report of their weekend, paying close attention to the verbs, time expressions and prepositions.
Next I reviewed the basic classroom language: I'm sorry, I don't understand, Pardon, What does 'X' mean? Can you please spell it/write it on the board etc
Next I had prepared a handout called eating habits, which was to promote conversation asking each other questions such as: Do you enjoy going on picnics? Which famous person (living or from history) would you most like to have dinner with? and why? Who normally does the cooking in your family? etc
To carry on the theme of 'food' we watched an episode of 'the F word' featuring Gordon Ramsay, which the group split into pairs and wrote a review as if they were media critics. They then presented this to the group.
To finish the day we spoke about different cultures and their foods, and how the cultures see some foods as taboo and others as a luxury foods.
_________________
By learning you will teach; by teaching you will learn.

[Scott Graham]

We have a really productive couple of days here in Nordhausen with even the least experienced members becoming more comfortable with speaking English.
We have been flying through tasks quite quickly including:

Brainstorming: Financial words and Important factors when travelling abroad on business or holiday.

Reviewing things such as giving/asking for directions, tenses, prepositions, Questions, introductions, and of course the English alphabet.

We have also spent time looking at irregular verbs, verb and noun collocations, the continuous form (past/present), professions (pros n cons), ambitions, writing an informal email and also important language used when making formal phone calls.

I have combined all the tasks with reading, speaking and listening exercises.

Throughout the week the group have also aimed at completing 2 onling 'english-test' tests, which has shown some good results.
_________________
By learning you will teach; by teaching you will learn.

[Scott Graham]

Monday 11th
We began the week with the group reporting on their weekend, and asking each other questions.
Next we did our 2 english tests online, and I made sure they didn't use any form of dictionary, the most were pleasantly surprised how well they still did.
We then had a brief revision of all the tenses we have learnt so far and compared them and their uses.
After breakfast we continued with the book on pg.48. I explained the basic structure of an email and asked each ss to write a semi-formal email to each other regarding a past trip. The group then, in pairs, created a 10 question questionnaire based on people/events from the past. Which each pair then swapped with another so they could try to complete the quiz. This was a good exercise to show how much more information you can find on the internet using English rather than German.
After luch we created an image of a house looking at the names of the rooms and furniture within.
To finish we prepared a shopping list for our group breakfast tomorrow, and discussed useful phrases such as:
Could you pass me the salt,please? Of course here you are.
Do you like mustard? yes/No, not very much, yes I like it a lot
What do you like the most/least?
What's your favourite?
_________________
By learning you will teach; by teaching you will learn.

[Scott Graham]

So we have had a great week in Nordhausen, with some of the group feeling a little bit tired but all still working hard.

Since Monday till today (Thursday) we have covered quite a lot including:
Working through the book (Business basics) from pg 48-64.
Present cont Vs Present simple, present cont Vs past simple
Adverbs of frequency
Hangman to revise the alphabet and some vocab.
Descriptive adjectives
Talking about a trip
Exchanging personal news (formal/informal)
Responding to news (good/bad)
Trends and reporting trends.
Booking a flight and hotel room

The group have also been doing 2 test online per day, and now I explained they must not use leo or a dictionary when doing them. Still we are getting some good results.

On Tuesday we had a group breakfast using only English, using phrases such as:
Could you pass me the-----, please?
of course, here you are?
No thanks, I don't like it
it's my favourite!
I like ----- the most/least

Tomorrow we will go to Erfurt for our field trip so I briefed them on the arrangements. I also got the group to start a thread on the forum so they care report and share their experiences.

All in all, a great group to work with, as always the levels are mixed but the motivation is good.

So have fun with them, I did.

Scott
_________________
By learning you will teach; by teaching you will learn.

[Torsten]

Hi Scott,

Many thanks for your update. You might want to tell the group that on Monday I'm going to ask them some questions about their field trip so they should bring the sheets you have prepared with them. I'll check the thread they've started too.

Have a good trip tomorrow.
Torsten
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Torsten]

Hi Scott,

Here is what we have covered with the Nordhausen group this week:
- Introducing another person
- Review of the simple past
- Using English/English dictionaries in addition to leo.
- Reading and listening to Why you should learn words in context...
- Listening comprehension: TOEIC Bridge and TOEIC based question response exercises
- We also continued your Erfurt field trip thread here: Nordhausen group: Field trip to Erfurt on August 14th
- Creating a list with English audio media resources to prepare for The 30/30 Challenge

The group has been doing an excellent job and everyone of course also continued completing our online tests.
More soon.
Thanks,
Torsten
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Torsten]

Hi Scott,

We went through the most part of a full length TOEIC test and I'd like to ask you to review the following items with the group:
- the three conditionals
- how to distinguish between verbs, nouns and adjectives and a sentence
- conjunctions
- passive voice

We also did a lot of listening comprehension using TOEIC prep materials and it would be great if the group continued to complete our online TOEIC listening tests: http://www.english-test.net/toeic/listening/

In addition, please spend some time on job hunting activities. I'll write a more detailed report early next week.

Many thanks,
Torsten
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Scott Graham]

Hi Torsten, English team trainers and interested parties,

This week so far, as always, has been productive and enjoyable with the group learning new skills as well as revising already learnt ones.

Monday.
As I hadn't seen the group for a couple of weeks, I asked them to give me a brief report about what they have covered during the previous 2 weeks as well any highlights in their private lives.

We then carried out some creative writing, I put the group into threes and set them a task based on a thread I created, http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic43774.html#which_3_things I asked them to think about it and report back to the group to why they made their decision and the whole group decided which Island would be best to be on.

Next we went onto www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk , which is the website for the British unemployment office, and each person had to find 2 jobs relevant to their qualifications and experience. Once they had these we all reported to each other what we found, talking about such things as Job title, salary, location, pensions, job descriptions and how to apply. With these adverts we then chose one and prepared an individual CV and covering letter as if we were going to apply for the jobs.

Tuesday.

Began by reviewing the conditionals.
I created a handout called ordering a coffee, and it helped us revise ordering, requesting and suggesting using roleplay.
The group then did a couple of the online tests.
We continued with the book 'Evaluating products' looking at how we describe products using dimensions, shape, colour, components etc Which is very useful especially when we can't think of the actual name of something.
We also looked how we exchange opinions in a constructive way so how to agree and disagree in a polite way.
_________________
By learning you will teach; by teaching you will learn.

[Scott Graham]

Wednesday
A good day today, we reviewed a lot as well as looked at some new subjects.
We reviewed Past simple using a crossword.
We also had a look at marketing including the important factors needed to be considered when we plan a marketing campain, such as target markets, appropriate marketing mediums etc In groups they discussed the best way to market a new low calorie chocolate bar, then they reported back to each other and each group would say whether they agreed or not and why.I highlighted the language used for giving opinions and agreeing/disagreeing.
We wrote a post on the thread http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic42961.html#nordhausen_group_field_trip_to_erfurt_on_august_14th and also looked through and spoke about some of the other threads on the forum.
I then gave the group a link where they could stream English and American TV, and I highlighted the fact in Germany there are many English shows on German television which they can watch in English on the website. Each ss watched a half hour show then reported back with a review and explanation of the show.
_________________
By learning you will teach; by teaching you will learn.

[Scott Graham]

My last 2 days with the group has been very good and enjoyable. As well as completing more online tests we have also reviewed a lot of things including:

Using present cont for future plans
Conditionals
Passive Vs Active
Conjuntions
Sentence structure
Verbs, nouns and adjectives.

We have also spent a lot of time speaking and creating random group discussions on themes such as:

If I weren't here, I would be........
My all time favourite holiday........
Travel and learn abroad........
And other subjects the group brought up.

The group invited me for dinner last night which was very nice and they presented me with a bottled of Nordhausen Dopplekorn. They were a great group to work with and I wish them all the best.

Scott
_________________
By learning you will teach; by teaching you will learn.

[Torsten]

Hi Ian,

We did a lot of TOEIC prep work using two full length TOEIC test from the Barron's TOEIC prep book. In addition we did telephoning role plays, review of the conditionals, we read and translated this story: http://www.english-test.net/lessons/4/index.html and talked about proverbs/phrases such as 'A banker is person who lends you an umbrella when it's fair and takes it away when it's raining'.

Please review the conditionals again and present continuous/present perfect continuous, introduce the Machern Highland Games and the Elevator Pitch Night and have the group complete some online tests on our site.

Many thanks for your great work.
Regards,
Torsten
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Scott Graham]

Hi Torsten and the Nordhausen English group,

I just want to say a big hello to the super group we have there in Nordhausen. I also want to wish them the best of luck with their test this week, even though I'm sure they don't need luck.

I really hope after this course they continue to learn English either by further course or self-study because I know they all have great potential!

I'm hoping I get the chance to see them again during one of my future visits.

Kindest regards
Scott
_________________
By learning you will teach; by teaching you will learn.

[Torsten]

Hi Scott,

Thank you very much for your support -- we'll keep you up to date and posted and we know you'll be keeping your fingers crossed for us tomorrow.

Best regards,
Torsten
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[GalwayBoy]

Hi Torsten and the Nordhausen group

I just wanted to send my warmest wishes and best luck for the Nordhausen group tomorrow !
All fingers and toes crossed for their TOEIC exams tomorrow.

Best wishes.
Ian