One of the more difficult aspects of teaching English in a foreign country, is coming up with inventive ways to keep students speaking and learning the language. My 6th grade students couldn't care less about English and it shows. Mind you, this is completely understandable. I mean, I like to remind myself that English is similar to French or ASL or Spanish in the states. It's an elective. It's mandatory, and furthermore, it won't help these students get into a University. So, in the grand scheme of eternity, English really has little to no value for most of these students. And, why should it? They don't live in America, they don't live in a country where many people speak English, so there's not much incentive to become proficient English speakers. Nonetheless, I feel responsible to make English as entertaining and beneficial as possible.
Honestly, the struggle to find activities and lessons that are truly engaging for 6th graders is burdensome. Anything that involves individual speaking is out of the question. They are just not interested. They have become accustomed to listening activities, so that's where they excel. There are two games in particular that have made my Grade 6 days "successful" or "good."
The first is one that I played with the students today. It is a variation of "BINGO."
There are three columns: Shower, Exercise, Brush Teeth<----these are the key verbs for the week.
Underneath each column are random numbers between 1 and 12. I roll the dice, and using the number on the die, repeat one of the key phrases. Ex; If i roll a total of 3, I would say "I brush my teeth 3 times a day." Students with a "3" in the Brush Teeth column put down a marker. Pretty simple, and I've got to admit it does NOT require much speaking unless the student get s a BINGO(then he/she has to repeat the phrases).
Regardless, the kids loved it, and it was one of the few activities that actually kept them engaged and focused.
The activity is called FOUR CORNERS. Again not ALL students speak in this game, but up to 90% of students will have the opportunity to use key words/sentences.
For this activity, after teaching and practicing key terms and sentences, I will post 4 sentences in respective corners of the room. Students will then find a corner of their choosing, while one student faces away from the rest of the class. The lone student will call out a phrase such as "I like playing basketball." Students standing in the corner with that phrase are "out" and must sit down. These students are also eligible to tag other students out, by repeating one of the phrases on the wall.
It is the only activity they'll participate in that requires them to speak and listen. THUS FAR. I will find more ways, because I refuse to supplement the final minutes of my class time with those two activities for the rest of the year haha!
Honestly, the struggle to find activities and lessons that are truly engaging for 6th graders is burdensome. Anything that involves individual speaking is out of the question. They are just not interested. They have become accustomed to listening activities, so that's where they excel. There are two games in particular that have made my Grade 6 days "successful" or "good."
The first is one that I played with the students today. It is a variation of "BINGO."
There are three columns: Shower, Exercise, Brush Teeth<----these are the key verbs for the week.
Underneath each column are random numbers between 1 and 12. I roll the dice, and using the number on the die, repeat one of the key phrases. Ex; If i roll a total of 3, I would say "I brush my teeth 3 times a day." Students with a "3" in the Brush Teeth column put down a marker. Pretty simple, and I've got to admit it does NOT require much speaking unless the student get s a BINGO(then he/she has to repeat the phrases).
Regardless, the kids loved it, and it was one of the few activities that actually kept them engaged and focused.
The activity is called FOUR CORNERS. Again not ALL students speak in this game, but up to 90% of students will have the opportunity to use key words/sentences.
For this activity, after teaching and practicing key terms and sentences, I will post 4 sentences in respective corners of the room. Students will then find a corner of their choosing, while one student faces away from the rest of the class. The lone student will call out a phrase such as "I like playing basketball." Students standing in the corner with that phrase are "out" and must sit down. These students are also eligible to tag other students out, by repeating one of the phrases on the wall.
It is the only activity they'll participate in that requires them to speak and listen. THUS FAR. I will find more ways, because I refuse to supplement the final minutes of my class time with those two activities for the rest of the year haha!