August 2009 Monthly Tutor Meeting

Discussion Notes

• Tutor sessions - 1 hour 2x per week vs. 2 hours 1x per week
• Pronounciation Lessons / Techniques (details coming in a separate posting)
• Citizenship Exam (details below)
• Memorization vs. Understanding/Learning (game below)
• Language Experience approach (details below)
• Scrabble Apple - you can create this game yourself! Instructions to create and play coming in a separate posting
• Review of the ReadWest Computer (details below)
• Recommeded websites (details below)

Details of Discussion Notes

Citizenship Exam

• First step is to learn the application process
• Questions are similar to 5th grade Civics Class
• How laws/decisions are passed, and who has the power to do so
• Writing basic sentences is required
• There are many practice tests on line

Matching Game that helps promote Understanding vs. Memorization
Holidays / Months / Times of Year-Seasons / Adjectives

Using cut up index cards or foam sheets, write the words from the categories above (1 per square). Have the student match those that go together (ie: December and Christmas). You can start with just a few categories (ie: just match holidays with months) and in each session introduce a new set of words (ie: next session add Times of Year - Seasons, the following session add adjectives to describe them all) - or use them all at once! Be creative!

Language Experience Approach
This works well for a student who only desires to "talk", to work on their conversation and speaking skills, or as a supplement lesson for all students.

• Start with a picture
• Have your student describe exactly what he/she see's in the picture
• Write down word for word what the student says
• Ask your student to review what he/she wrote, giving him/her the opportunity to make any changes
• Praise what was correct
• Explain what could be better - correct grammar - write it out
• Have student re-write it, using the corrected version

ReadWest Computer

The computer at ReadWest has quite a few programs loaded that are lessons, games, etc, right on the desktop. There are also web links on the desktop to similar resources on line. You can utilize this software together with your student during your meeting with them, or have your student stay after or visit during business hours for supplemental practice.

Great Web Links

• http://www.about.com/ - Search for anything ESL related and get lots of ideas and lesson plans
• http://esl.about.com/b/ - Ken's ESL Blog

Ken's ESL Blog is a great resource for lessons. There is a blog, a forum, tons of lesson plans and ideas. Sign up for the weekly ESL Newsletter! Most lessons can be printed in "printer friendly" format.