Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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ESL teacher in China (self.Blind)
submitted by traitorzhous
Hello! I teach English in china and work at a boarding school/group home/orphanage for the blind or very sight impaired. I wasn't told before I got to China that I would be working with blind and sight impaired students. To make a long story short, my boss said some students thought my classes were boring. I am looking for ideas to make them better. Any help would be appreciated.
claudettemonet 1 points 6y ago
I was a teacher in China for 3 years. Kids like games. The game can be simple and silly, just as long as they can keep score and there are teams. Watch the kids too. Some of the best games I came up with were inspired by the games they were playing during breaks.
Role playing conversations and giving points to teams for better acting is a great game, but one you have to work up to. The kids have to trust you and each other enough to put themselves out there like that. Also kids need practice time to make their skit. Most of the time would be set aside for practice, which is great cause you are really capitalizing on student talk time when every student is talking.
Other simpler games can be variations on card games or mine sweeper or battleship. You have your target language set and to make a move, or try for points for their team, the students just have to use the target language. Make certain each student on the team participates before moving on.
Use games as a reward. Start class by introducing what they need to know, give them time to practice in pairs or small groups. As a whole class check for understanding or clarify mistakes you heard (but never call anyone out for mistakes ever!). Then, play the game.
Also realia is good for kids. Even older kids like it. Realia is just stuff you bring in from the real world. Realia is great for teaching vocabulary and propositions.
Good luck! If you have any other questions, just ask. I love China and teaching in China. I miss it. If you are there for a while I recommend applying for the Chinese government scholarship to learn Chinese. They pay you to do it, you can usually still teach evenings and weekends, and it is the only way to become literate.
Jia you! Or 加油！
Role playing conversations and giving points to teams for better acting is a great game, but one you have to work up to. The kids have to trust you and each other enough to put themselves out there like that. Also kids need practice time to make their skit. Most of the time would be set aside for practice, which is great cause you are really capitalizing on student talk time when every student is talking.
Other simpler games can be variations on card games or mine sweeper or battleship. You have your target language set and to make a move, or try for points for their team, the students just have to use the target language. Make certain each student on the team participates before moving on.
Use games as a reward. Start class by introducing what they need to know, give them time to practice in pairs or small groups. As a whole class check for understanding or clarify mistakes you heard (but never call anyone out for mistakes ever!). Then, play the game.
Also realia is good for kids. Even older kids like it. Realia is just stuff you bring in from the real world. Realia is great for teaching vocabulary and propositions.
Good luck! If you have any other questions, just ask. I love China and teaching in China. I miss it. If you are there for a while I recommend applying for the Chinese government scholarship to learn Chinese. They pay you to do it, you can usually still teach evenings and weekends, and it is the only way to become literate.
Jia you! Or 加油！
KillerLag 1 points 6y ago
How old are the kids? What aspect of the lessons are they finding boring? Are you teaching them a topic at a level they are not ready for?
I used to teach English in Japan, and sometimes kid just don't connect because they don't care, or they don't see a use for what they are learning. Others don't have a good enough background to understand the more advanced lessons, and are embarassed to ask for help.
What resources does the school have to back up you? I actually have a friend currently in China teaching English, and another heading over in August!
I used to teach English in Japan, and sometimes kid just don't connect because they don't care, or they don't see a use for what they are learning. Others don't have a good enough background to understand the more advanced lessons, and are embarassed to ask for help.
What resources does the school have to back up you? I actually have a friend currently in China teaching English, and another heading over in August!
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