Teach English in Xiawafang Jiedao - Tianjin

Conversation Circles for ELLHuman beings, by nature, seek to relate and connect to each another. Meaningful conversation - the sharing of thoughts, ideas, feelings, and stories ? is one main way by which this objective is accomplished. Since ancient times people have gathered into conversation circles (tribal councils, roundtables, etc.) to talk purposefully about topics that are important to them. Nowadays, as in the past, these conversations circles may be led by facilitators, but all members of the circle generally have equal opportunity to speak and equal responsibility to listen respectfully. Conversation circles for ELL typically consist of an english-speaking facilitator and several students of various ages, ethnicities, cultures, and abilities, who are learning the language. The circles provide opportunity for those students to practice self-expression and discussion in a safe and accepting small group setting. Whether they?re held outside or within an academic classroom, conversation circles can be very effective forum for english language learners to improve their speaking skills. Outside the classroom, conversation circles are usually sponsored and conducted by public libraries or community centers. They are typically structured as a series of regular or periodic drop-in discussions or meetings (about 1 to 2 hours long) with a less rigorous or formal atmosphere than that of a language classroom, thus they offer students a change of pace or a means for keeping up their skills when classes aren?t in session. Within the ELL classroom, conversation circles can be an excellent way to open or close the learning session, whether they?re conducted at every session or at regularly scheduled intervals. If conducted every session, conversation circles would likely be relatively brief (15 to 30 minutes, depending on class size and time length). They could effectively be used to: ? Help students transition from ?outside focus to ?class? or ?english speaking? mode (when done at opening) ? Cultivate awareness of each others? customs and cultures ? Develop class rapport and relationships ? Review and reinforce recently taught concepts If conducted at regularly scheduled intervals (weekly, biweekly, etc.), conversation circles could last longer (45 to 90 minutes) and might effectively be used to: ? Explore topics of interest to the class in a multi-faceted way ? Develop deeper appreciation for each others? customs and cultures ? Prepare students for various real-life situations and events ? Increase motivation and creativity ? Allow practice of advanced speaking skills (e.g., speeches, presentations, etc.) Guidelines for conducting conversation circles are relatively simple. They include: ? Sit in a circle or similar formation so that people can see each other. ? Recognize each person (including the facilitator) as an equal contributor to the topic of focus in conversation. ? Realize that people of different cultures and backgrounds may be used to different standards of conversational and behavioral etiquette. ? Agree to a basic set of conversational rules to be followed at group, such as: o Take turns speaking and listening. o Hold your comments to a reasonable time limit. o Speak about your own experiences and opinions. o Listen respectfully to whoever is speaking. o Try to understand what is being said. o Do not judge or criticize the speaker in any way. o Ask questions politely at an appropriate time. ? Expect that misunderstandings may occasionally occur. The job of the english-speaking teacher/facilitator is to foster equal participation from all group members ? encouraging the shy or soft-spoken to speak up and keeping the talkative from dominating the conversation. Care should be taken by the facilitator not to over-contribute or to rule with a heavy hand as those participants who are learning the language may already consider him/her to be in a power position as group leader, which defeats the basic premise of equality in the conversation circle. Another job of the conversation circle teacher/facilitator is to help other group members improve their english-speaking skills, so he/she must first ensure that all participants are able to follow the conversation. This can be done by careful observation, occasional paraphrasing, and requesting that speakers slow down a bit as appropriate. From time to time, when participants make errors that impede understanding in pronunciation or grammar, sensitive and tactful corrections should be made. This can be done by noting peoples? pronunciation and grammatical errors on paper during conversation, and then holding a brief correction session afterwards. Also, to foster understanding, the facilitator should explain any idioms, jargon, and slang. What do people in a conversation circle talk about? Anything and everything! Topics can range from daily habits and routines to current events, culture and customs, forms of entertainment, or readings from newspapers, magazines, or books. Ideas can come from course books, lessons, or facilitator manuals, but are really only limited by the imaginations of the conversation circle members. Most sources listed below include a number of suggestions. Sources Cammack, Christina and Fulton, Cara. ESL Conversation Circle Guidebook, District of Columbia Public Library Adult Literacy Resource Center, 2004. [www.mcael.org/FCKEditor/DCPL_Conversation_Circle_GuidebookRev2dcpl%5B1%5D.doc] Conversation Circles Program Leader Handbook, english Language Institute, University of Michigan, [sitemaker.umich.edu/conversation/files/leader_handbk.pdf] Conversation Circles: What Are They? [conversationcircle.com/] Games and Activities for the english as a Second Language Classroom, [iteslj.org/c/games2.html] Schusterman, Michelle. ESL Conversation Activities: Free Strategies to Increase Students? Conversational Skills, [www.suite101.com/content/esl-conversation-activities-a136273] Speaking and Icebreaker Activities for ESL Teachers, [www.eslflow.com/speakingandcommunicativeicebreakeractivities.html] Tani, Shannon. Using Circle Time in ESL Classrooms, [www.teach-esl-to-kids.com] Van Gilst, Anne. Perceptions of Volunteer Roles in english Conversation Circles [www.teslcanadajournal.ca/index.php/tesl/article/viewFile/1061/880]