A teaching technique for English Immersion classes. The Author/Teacher would like your feedback.

::::::::

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?

Teacher Q: I am from Texas/Taipei/the Philippines/the UK . Where do you live?

Student A: I live in Tang Qi.  How many people are in your family?

Teacher Q: I have one older brother and two younger sisters. My mother and father are still alive, too. How many are in your family?  

Student A: We are four.  I have one smaller brother, my mommy, and dad.  Where do you live now?

Teacher Q: I live in Ban Li.  Where does your little brother live?

Student A: He lives in Tang Qi with me.  May I have an English Speaking (Dollar) money now?

Teacher Q:  Of course, but I have one more question.  How many English (Speaking) Dollars do you have now?

Students A: I have two. (Please sign.)

Teacher Q: Good.  Let me sign this. Here you are.

Student A: Thanks.

NOTES:

[1] Stoda, Kevin.  An Aggressive "AET MONEY CONTEST"": Ask me three Questions, please! The Language Teacher, 18:7, July 1994.

[2] That is, a signed ESD or dollar.

[3] In preparation for the contest, we English teachers will identify a set of questions or types of questions that students should work on at each grade level.  (However, students can certainly create or memorize other new phrases and questions for holding a conversation.) Contest seeks to improve listening, speaking and memorization of conversation questions , answers-to-questions, vocabulary, phrases, and techniques of communicating. Normally, class time will not be used for earning dollars.  Dollars must be earned between classes, before school and after school.  If any participating teacher is too busy, students will be asked not to ask questions to earn money.

I would like to discuss proposals for prizes with you and the office managers .

Authors Website: http://eslkevin.wordpress.com/2009/07/09/3-big-paradigms-hol

Authors Bio:

KEVIN STODA-has been blessed to have either traveled in or worked in nearly 100 countries on five continents over the past two and a half decades.--He sees himself as a peace educator and have been-- a promoter of good economic and social development--making-him an enemy of my homelands humongous DEFENSE SPENDING and its focus on using weapons to try and solve global issues.

"I am from Kansas so I also use the pseudonym 'Kansas' and 'alone' when I write and publish.- I-keep two blogs--one with BLOGGER and one with WORDPRESS.- My writings range from reviews to editorials or to travel observations.- I also make recommendations related to policy--having both a-strong background in teaching foreign languages and degrees in teaching in history and the social sciences.--As a Midwesterner, I also write on religion and living out ones faith whether it be as a Christian, Muslim or Buddhist perspective."

On my own home page, I also provide information for language learners and travelers http://www.geocities.com/eslkevin/-,- http://the-teacher.blogspot.com/-& http://alone.gnn.tv/

-

-

-

-