PROPOSAL: A CONVERSATION CONTEST for Non-English Language Immersion Programs
For the last few months I have been encouraging the institution of "Conversation Contests" in various public schools in Taiwan.
Please look at the proposal below for some elementary schools. However, the framework or procedure can be used at all grade levels. I suggest it here for usage by foreign language teachers around the world. Internationally born and raised teachers can promote and facilitate in carrying out the contests. (By internationally born and raised, I mean usually-but-not exclusively native speakers. Nonetheless, fluent speakers of any language involved in any similar contest are likely to be quite helpful to the contests promotion and success at any school.)
The design for such a "conversation contest" was developed by me in Japanese rural high schools in the early 1990s--after I had seen similar contests at one-day-long German Language Days in Kansas a year or so earlier.
PROPOSAL: A CONVERSATION CONTEST
Also called a "conversation" or "ASK ME 3 QUESTIONS PLEASE" contest.[1]
I have indicated before that a conversation contest might be appropriate for encouraging our students to use a variety of English communication techniques--not just in the classroom but especially outside of the classroom.
Let me explain how this type of Conversation contest works:
Time Period: usually 2 month period is the best length of time, but one-month or three month contests are possible.
Students Levels: students from each grade 1 through 6 could participate and prizes could be given (or earned) at each grade level.
Objective : Students will try to collect as many signed English Speaking Dollars (ESDs) [2] as possible during the period.
Procedure for Earning ESDs : Students must both (a) ask and (b) answer at least 3 different questions each time in order to earn an ESD. In the past, I have usually had a picture of myself on these contest dollars--but any handmade or fake bill will do. Each ESD (dollar) must receive the signature of the teacher or the person giving the (ESD) dollar. When asked, the student must truthfully tell how many ESDs (dollars) or how much money have been earned. Students should not earn and give dollars (ESDs) to others.
Here is an example dialogue of a student earning a dollar.
Student A: Please, can/may I ask you some questions?
Teacher Q: Sure.
Student A: Where are you from?
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