Conversation Class Lesson Summary
Language Resident Name: Ines Fister
Day and Date: Wed, Jan 17, 2018
Language and Level (intermediate or advanced class): intermediate, German
Class theme/topics discussed: Welcome and Introduction
Goal of the class:
The main goal is to get acquainted with each other. The students should familiarize with each other, get to know the LR, the rules regarding the classroom as well as the formalities in order to obtain the credit for the course.
How did you structure the class?
4.15 – 4.25 (10mins): Welcome; Game: say your name and one information about yourself (where from, siblings, hobby…); next person has to repeat all before and say theirs; we might be a very small group and if so, we might go around a second or a third time and add up the information (I am Ines, I have a brother, I like Yoga and I am from Austria…, This is X, she is from X, she likes X…, This is Y, she has Y… – in German)
4.25 – 4.45 (20mins): Class agreement, Attendance, Rules: LR hands out class agreement & attendance sheet circles, while students read it LR writes hints to basic rules on the board:
- No lying on the sofa (Liegen)
- No eating in class (Essen)
- Don’t wear pyjamas (Schlafanzug)
- Don’t use your cellphone (Handy)
- Don’t go to the restroom if not absolutely necessary (WC)
- Be on time! (Pünktlichkeit)
- Bring a pen and paper (Schreibmaterial)
- Speak German only! (Deutsch)
- Class agreement
LR asks if they have questions about the agreement.
LR asks someone to repeat what they have to do (better in German but English is ok).
LR repeats 3 crucial requirements: attendance (3absences max), tables (10), events (3).
Info about German tables at Scripps (+ handout for attendance signature)
Mention: PLEASE no bargaining! (e.g. I do 15 Tables but I don’t go to an event etc… – you have to fulfill all requirements) If you have a problem – talk to me! Email me!
- Rules on board
Game: repeat the rules: LR holds a ball, says: Ich bin Ines und im Unterricht darf ich nicht auf dem Sofa liegen (I am Ines and in class I’m not allowed to lie on the sofa); LR throws the ball to one person in class, he or she has to say her or his name and another rule; he throws the ball to another person and this person has to repeat the first name and the first rule (Ines & Sofa), say his/her name & a rule, throw the ball. The 4th person has to repeat 2nd person’s name&rule… go on until all rules have been mentioned twice approximately
4.45 – 5.15 (30 mins): Game: Two truths and one lie. LR makes three statements about herself (2 truths, 1 lie). Students discuss in pairs how they could find out – which questions could lead them to the answer. Every team asks teacher one question for each statement. Then they discuss and try to guess which is the lie.
– LR writes question words on whiteboard: Wann? Wo? Warum? Wie? Wer? Was?
Students have to make three statements about themselves. One of them is a lie. We play the game for everyone. (small class expected)
If there should still be time left: repeat rules/ repeat information learned today/ spell names of students backwards and see if they hear their name
What technology, media or props did you use? (internet ressources, playmobiles, handouts, etc.)
Whiteboard, Class Agreements, ball, pens, scripps table form
What worked well in this class? What did not work?
The activities created a good atmosphere and we had a lot of fun. Especially one student had some troubles understanding the students and the LR. She was the only one the LR hasn’t met before. It can be assumed that it will become easier for her to understand the LR and the other students as she knows them better and better. There was no time left for the last game (two truths one lie), but it is a good game for the second session. Also, one more student will join us, because she was sick in the first week. Thus, it makes sense to play more ice breaker games next week.
How could this class be improved/ modified?
The intermediate students need a lot of support with vocabulary and sentence structure. Spontaneous speaking is difficult for them.
If you have a more detailed lesson plan, please attach it below (OK to use target language for that). Please attach any handouts as well.