lessons to be learnt: Lesson 2 (grade 1 )

Hi everybody. This is the second lesson that I did with my first grade high school students, at 남한고등학교 (Namhan High School). This is the first lesson in which the students will encounter "Slang of the day". Every lesson that I teach, no matter if it is first or second grade, will start with a new slang word. The students LOVE this part. They always guess crazy things and laugh at the silly examples we make up. It is a great way to start a lesson and get the spirits up.

Basic lesson plan:

Greet and welcome students. We briefly chat about arbitrary things, like what they did on the weekend, or celeb gossip or the severity of the yellow dust. (This is an English conversation class after all)

Slang of the day. (Todays word is "has-been". As in Arnold Schwarzenegger is a has-been actor.). I like to keep them guessing and guide them in the right direction.

The students are then divided into groups. The seating in my class is always in clusters, as many of the lessons involve group work or games. Each group has been created with a "leader", chosen on academic merit. (What we did was have the leaders pick their team mates, but thats obviously up to you/your co-teacher). After the class is divided, get the teams to make a group name. Again their is no limit on what the name can be, let them be creative and funny as they please. (Push them though, as there is not that much time.)

Homework worksheet.
(From lesson 1)

Now that the groups have been named and the excitement levels have peaked, it is time to produce the homework from lesson one. Give them a few minutes to complete the table by asking the other members in their groups about their personal information. You might want to write helpful questions on the board, but walk around the class listening and helping out.

Now the fun starts. Tell them that each group has to pick only ONE person to speak. (This will save time when the introductions begin) Although only one member will speak, the entire group should stand in front of the class so that we can all see who we are meeting. This year my classes were fighting to go first, so that should not be a problem. The chosen person then introduced his/her team members and sometimes added his/her own 2c to the table. They have a GREAT sense of humour. Feel free to ask them questions and to get them speaking.

The students love to make the kids whose "hobbies" are to perform in some or other way 'show off' their talents. Lots of clapping and shouting and encouragement is always heard.

This should take you till the end of the 50 minutes. In fact you might have to watch the clock and speed some of the groups along. They really enjoy this lesson as you will see from some of the pics.