Here is a great idea from a volunteer who worked with adults who wanted to improve their English skills. The activity does not require many resources, and can be repeated as many times as needed. I love how after a few sessions, this volunteer's students looked forward to the next "Dear Dot" session, and planned out different problems for the next time!
Activity/Idea name:
“Dear Dot” – advice column letters to Dot, a newspaper columnist
Brief description of the placement where you work (please include ages, number of people, languages spoken, other etc):
I worked with men and women (all ages) with a fair grasp of English. Their reading and listening comprehension was at a higher level than conversation, so I always looked for ways to have them speaking.
Goal of the activity:
The goal is to increase English listening, writing and speaking skills as well as exchange cultural differences.
Required resources:
Read a few prepared “Dear Dot” letters and have the students write and read their replies. When they get the idea, have them write the “Dear Dot” letters themselves and read them to the class and have the class prepare and deliver responses. It is interesting to compare responses from the teacher and the students (who usually have a different background because of age and/or culture). Our class had many discussions as to cultural differences (including why would someone write something personal to a newspaper columnist?)
Do you have any suggestions/improvements for the next time?
This worked well. I did the exercises over about three weeks, a couple days/week, a couple letters/class. The class looked forward to the exercise and the time in between gave them time to think up “problems” for Dot.
Activity/Idea name:
“Dear Dot” – advice column letters to Dot, a newspaper columnist
Brief description of the placement where you work (please include ages, number of people, languages spoken, other etc):
I worked with men and women (all ages) with a fair grasp of English. Their reading and listening comprehension was at a higher level than conversation, so I always looked for ways to have them speaking.
Goal of the activity:
The goal is to increase English listening, writing and speaking skills as well as exchange cultural differences.
Required resources:
- Several “Dear Dot” letters. For example: a boy writes to Dot that his father wants him to go to the university and take law courses. The boy wants to be an actor. What should he do?
Read a few prepared “Dear Dot” letters and have the students write and read their replies. When they get the idea, have them write the “Dear Dot” letters themselves and read them to the class and have the class prepare and deliver responses. It is interesting to compare responses from the teacher and the students (who usually have a different background because of age and/or culture). Our class had many discussions as to cultural differences (including why would someone write something personal to a newspaper columnist?)
Do you have any suggestions/improvements for the next time?
This worked well. I did the exercises over about three weeks, a couple days/week, a couple letters/class. The class looked forward to the exercise and the time in between gave them time to think up “problems” for Dot.
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