Being Prepared Being Prepared
Preparation remains the key to success for teachers as well it should for conversation leaders. While Americans tend to easily adapt to informal situations like fish to water, other cultures do not. You will discover that some of your ESL students will be very uncomfortable with the informality that is so natural in American schools, yet you will want to keep conversation group informal because that is how conversation should be. This means that you will have to add an element of structure to conversation group but not so much as to take away from the informality of conversation group. A little structure is necessary because some students will get the wrong idea and stop attending (unless attendance is required, and in that case, the intimidated student will not voluntarily participate). Because of this and because you want to be a successful conversation leader, you will need to do at least some preparation for every conversation group meeting.
One of the best preparations you can make is preparing the students for the informal nature of conversation group. In this way, you will not have any broken expectations on any student's behalf. Try putting together a mini-syllabus outlining conversation group. Here's an example from the one I used:
"Conversation group is an informal group where ELI students can practice and improve their knowledge of English and American culture by conversing with UF students and other ELI students. The group may meet in the lunchroom, outside on the lawn, or in a classroom. All topics are open for discussion . Conversation group will be an informal time in which students and conversation leaders exchange news, feelings, and thoughts. Also, we may take short trips to art galleries and other locations of interest on and nearby the University of Florida campus."
Conversation group preparation should not take too much time. In fact, a week with five one hour meetings should take only 1-2 hours of preparation. Remember that too much structure will ruin the fun and necessary informality of conversation group. Use the questionnaire provided in this handbook to help guide you in your plans. Tailor the activities to the desires of your students, and be sure to add some of yourself to all you that plan. If the students ever feel that you are unprepared or apathetic, they will not show up nor will they care to participate in the conversation group. Here is a typical week in a conversation group at the ELI of the University of Florida:
MONDAY- Topic: The weekend. In class we talk about an ELI trip to Orlando (Epcot, Disney, Universal Studios). The topic switches to travel within the state of Florida.
TUESDAY- Topic: Music lyrics. We listen to the Eagle's "Hotel California" and fill in the blanks on the lyric sheet. By the end of the period, everybody knows the words to this popular song.
WEDNESDAY- Topic: Beautiful day on the lawn. The weather outside is very nice. So, we meet on the lawn outside Norman hall and hang out (sit around and talk about anything).
THURSDAY- Field Trip. We walk over to the Museum of Natural Science and spend the hour talking about the various exhibits.
FRIDAY- Topic: Weekend Plans. ELI has a trip planned for St. Augustine, and we discuss how we can best enjoy our stay there. We talk about Florida beaches and the rich history of St. Augustine.
Keeping journals is also a good idea. This will come in handy when it is time to go to a different conversation group such as the beginning of a new semester. A conversation leader can look back with the clarity of hindsight and re-use successful activities and conversation topics and ditch the utter failures (don't be too hasty though, some topics and activities will be duds but later become fantastic with a little fine tuning). Journals are also good for the administrators of conversation group programs as they record the success of conversation group as well as justify the funds that the program invests in it.
In conclusion, being prepared may take some extra effort, but the reward of having a fun and successful conversation group more than makes up for the little planning time that you put into it. Be sure to have some structure but not so much as to take away from the informality that makes conversation group fun, and try to keep a journal of the daily activities and topics that occur in your conversation group. If you can find the right mixture of conversation and activities, you will create an environment in which the spoken English of your ESL students will flourish.
Summary
Conversation group presents a challenge in an informal and fun environment. As a conversation leader you will grow in many different ways. A simple function like talking becomes a valuable skill as running a conversation group will no doubt improve your communication skills in a practical manner. Many aspects of American culture of which you were not really aware should become clear and known to you through the myriad of perspectives your students represent. Leading a conversation group will be a job that you will look back upon and smile. Through your efforts to know your students' needs, prepare for conversation group, and conduct a fun and informal mixture of conversation and activities, you will aid ESL students in the sometimes difficult nuances of American language and culture. Also, you will gain useful skills that can be used towards your own ends. Remember that knowing your students' needs and being their friend as well as being prepared are the most important aspects of a good conversation leader.
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Last updated 14 July 1998
Copyright © Tom Mason 1997, 1998
