ESL Jobs Forum

[eric18]

If you teach a truly international class with students from many different countries and cities, you might find it useful to encourage them to research their hometowns. This simple exercise, designed while I taught at UCLA American Language Center, emphasizes the students' expertise while expanding their vocabulary and speaking skills.

Here's the homework worksheet that I assign. Students then return to work in groups to share articles about their hometowns. Later, I have all students give a brief 5-minute presentation on their hometowns using at least two sources and their own experiences.

Talking About Your Own Hometown!

Student Name:
Class:
Teacher:
School:
Date:

Please find an article about your hometown in English that you would like to share with your classmates. Read the article, clip the article, and be prepared to talk about the article.

Title:
Author: Length:
Publication: Publication date:

What's the main idea?


How many sources were quoted?


Where there any illustrations? What kind?


What did you learn in this article?


What was the most interesting part for you? Why?


Write down 5 new vocabulary words, idioms, or expressions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

How would you rate the article 1-10? Why?



Why did you choose this article?



The more comfortable students feel, the more they will often contribute in English class - especially if they are studying abroad. Choosing a comfortable topic where they have expert status seems like a logical first "major" activity.
_________________
Shalom

Eric
eric@compellingconversations.com

"In America, nobody says you have to keep circumstances somebody else gives you."
Amy Tan, Asian-American writer