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- TeamUfa
- We are a team of people trying to reach people in Ufa and Bashkortostan in Russia. It is no small task and we want your support!
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Monday, June 7, 2010
English Language Conversation Groups
9:55 PM | Posted by
TeamUfa
There are a lot of directions you can go when starting an English discussion group. The limit is your imagination! Here are some ideas that seem to have worked for us as we have had English discussion groups for three years. We are constantly reviewing our ideas, strategies and discussion ideas and topics. Input from the people who come is very important. It is important to remember that this is NOT English class. The person who starts the English group is a facilitator for discussion on a wide range of topics. This post will talk about the process of holding these English groups and the new friends we can make and relationships we can build. This post will be in two parts.
1. If you have people interested in practicing their English, you have an immediate group to begin with. Just set a date and time each week and then make adjustments as the group develops and you learn more about what days and times work best for the group.
2. We started with a beginners group, an intermediate group and an advanced group. We had the beginner group meet on one night of the week at 7pm in two separate rooms and the intermediate group and advanced group meeting on another night, the intermediate starting at 5pm and the advanced starting at 7pm. We started out with the groups meeting separately but found that many of them blended into the different groups on their own. So, we decided to combine the intermediate group and the advanced group together as most were coming to both. This approach seems to work well as we have found that many intermediate people want to hear advanced people talk and their level of English improves very quickly. We have some people who come to as many groups as they can. Now, we have one group meeting at 6pm and we go to 7:30pm. This gives the group time to socialize before they go home. It also allows time for discussions with people who want to share on a more personal level without them having to stay too late.
3. We have topics selected in general but also want topics which are of interest to the group. Current news, historical events, experiences and anything else that will encourage speaking and sharing of thoughts. We don’t talk about politics. We will discuss political processes, but we will not discuss political views. As you know that sort of thing can be inflammatory. We also ask the group what they would like to speak about or if they have any comments or observations that they would like to share.
4. The group enjoys learning English idioms and we have a lot of fun with that. We can select an idea like the weather and discuss weather related terms. Discuss authors (Have some ready to discuss beforehand). Historical terms and events. The comparisons and differences in growing up in different cultures. Popular music, classical, rock and roll, especially from the early days of rock and roll. Naming some of the groups and giving some history of those groups.
5. We are looking for any avenue to discuss English, speak English, practice English, etc, etc. How many music artists can you name? What are common terms in building and construction. Medical terms and what do they mean? The list is endless and the possibilities are too numerous to mention.
6. Use native speakers as translators so the people will not be afraid to say something in their own language to get an idea across. Then, once translated, put that thought and idea into natural English so everyone can hear it. Very seldom do we correct anyone's English. We let them speak. If they get stuck, we ask them to say it in their native language and then we have someone translate it and go on with the discussion. We then will repeat what was said in our more natural English so everyone can hear the English.
7. Always check to make sure everyone is keeping up. Ask if their is anyone who needs you to repeat what was said or translated. We also have a native speaker share in their language what was said in English if needed for more understanding. We want everyone involved as much as possible. Keep it light and fun. Remind the group to ask questions. Repeat as often as necessary. Get feedback as much as you can.
8. Try to have some personal concepts included in the discussion with words like faith, trust, hope, charity, sympathy, empathy, love, parenting, relationships, etc.
9. Do not stay on one topic for the whole time. Have two or three or more quick topics to cover. You always want to keep their attention and find ways to encourage involvement of everyone.
10. Ask a lot of questions that will encourage answers that are more than “yes” or “no”. Keep the questions simple but with a purpose.
11. We always want people to enjoy themselves and have a positive experience so they not only will come back, but bring their friends as well. We have many people who may not come for several weeks for various reasons and we try to encourage them to not worry about how long they have been absent. The most important thing is that they are with us when they can be.
12. The purpose of the groups are to build trust and friendships that will grow into more relationship building that will allow the sharing of personal thoughts and personal experiences at a higher level. We want them to feel a part of our lives and also feel that we are a part of their lives.
1. If you have people interested in practicing their English, you have an immediate group to begin with. Just set a date and time each week and then make adjustments as the group develops and you learn more about what days and times work best for the group.
2. We started with a beginners group, an intermediate group and an advanced group. We had the beginner group meet on one night of the week at 7pm in two separate rooms and the intermediate group and advanced group meeting on another night, the intermediate starting at 5pm and the advanced starting at 7pm. We started out with the groups meeting separately but found that many of them blended into the different groups on their own. So, we decided to combine the intermediate group and the advanced group together as most were coming to both. This approach seems to work well as we have found that many intermediate people want to hear advanced people talk and their level of English improves very quickly. We have some people who come to as many groups as they can. Now, we have one group meeting at 6pm and we go to 7:30pm. This gives the group time to socialize before they go home. It also allows time for discussions with people who want to share on a more personal level without them having to stay too late.
3. We have topics selected in general but also want topics which are of interest to the group. Current news, historical events, experiences and anything else that will encourage speaking and sharing of thoughts. We don’t talk about politics. We will discuss political processes, but we will not discuss political views. As you know that sort of thing can be inflammatory. We also ask the group what they would like to speak about or if they have any comments or observations that they would like to share.
4. The group enjoys learning English idioms and we have a lot of fun with that. We can select an idea like the weather and discuss weather related terms. Discuss authors (Have some ready to discuss beforehand). Historical terms and events. The comparisons and differences in growing up in different cultures. Popular music, classical, rock and roll, especially from the early days of rock and roll. Naming some of the groups and giving some history of those groups.
5. We are looking for any avenue to discuss English, speak English, practice English, etc, etc. How many music artists can you name? What are common terms in building and construction. Medical terms and what do they mean? The list is endless and the possibilities are too numerous to mention.
6. Use native speakers as translators so the people will not be afraid to say something in their own language to get an idea across. Then, once translated, put that thought and idea into natural English so everyone can hear it. Very seldom do we correct anyone's English. We let them speak. If they get stuck, we ask them to say it in their native language and then we have someone translate it and go on with the discussion. We then will repeat what was said in our more natural English so everyone can hear the English.
7. Always check to make sure everyone is keeping up. Ask if their is anyone who needs you to repeat what was said or translated. We also have a native speaker share in their language what was said in English if needed for more understanding. We want everyone involved as much as possible. Keep it light and fun. Remind the group to ask questions. Repeat as often as necessary. Get feedback as much as you can.
8. Try to have some personal concepts included in the discussion with words like faith, trust, hope, charity, sympathy, empathy, love, parenting, relationships, etc.
9. Do not stay on one topic for the whole time. Have two or three or more quick topics to cover. You always want to keep their attention and find ways to encourage involvement of everyone.
10. Ask a lot of questions that will encourage answers that are more than “yes” or “no”. Keep the questions simple but with a purpose.
11. We always want people to enjoy themselves and have a positive experience so they not only will come back, but bring their friends as well. We have many people who may not come for several weeks for various reasons and we try to encourage them to not worry about how long they have been absent. The most important thing is that they are with us when they can be.
12. The purpose of the groups are to build trust and friendships that will grow into more relationship building that will allow the sharing of personal thoughts and personal experiences at a higher level. We want them to feel a part of our lives and also feel that we are a part of their lives.
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1 comments:
I ask God to bless each of you and your families as you reach the people of Ufa. God is being glorified through your faithfulness and obedience.
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