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FIRST
CLASSES 26
July, 2004
What do you do in the first
class?
FIRST
CLASSES
Often the objective of the first
class is:
§
to assess the students' real level
§
to assess their preferred learning styles
§
to get to know each other
§
to create a positive, supportive learning environment.
The idea of relationship
building may be important in the first class. There are four main aspects
that can be considered.
1.
Space
Where are you in relation to the
students? On a platform at the front? Sitting in a circle with them? How do
you use space in the class?
2.
Giving and Receiving
Instilling in the students the
idea of sharing ideas, information as well as doing pair and group work.
Opening these channels between them.
3.
Listening
Training them to listen to each
other, not to always use the channel of the teacher.
4.
Playful possibilities
Exposing them to teaching
activities that ma seem like games at first.
A
COUPLE OF IDEAS FOR ACTIVITIES
True / False Phrases
The teacher writes 5 phrases on
the board about themselves (some are true, some are false).
e.g. for an intermediate class (phrases can be adapted to any level)
1. I was born in South Africa.
2. I am fond of cooking.
3. I can't stand cats.
4. I can play the piano.
5. I have never been to the Summer Palace.
In pairs the students discuss
which they think are true or false about the teacher. Then join pairs into
fours and groups and re-discuss ideas. Teacher then elicits a few ideas and
tells students the correct answers. You could let the students ask you
questions during their initial discussion.
The main rational behind this
activity is to try out different dynamics in the class and get to know each
other.
Here are the answers, what are
the questions?
The teacher prepares cards with
simple (often one word or a simple picture) answers.
e.g.
Jean
Lynn
German
2
36
chilies
Students then guess the correct
questions. The teacher can give clues when necessary.
Variation:
Tell the students the next cards are about your brother. Repeat above
activity. This gets them to practice: "Does he.....?"
Also the answers could be written on the board. However, having made the
cards you can use them time and again.
.....these are a few ideas to
kick off with.
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