SPOKEN ENGLISH TRAINING

Course Introduction:

Required Texts:English Conversation in Taiwan, by Michael Yeldham.

Course Description:

This course aims to help students improve their spoken

English. Classes will consist of various activities ranging

from set readings, in-class dialogues to short vocabulary

exercises. It is important that students complete any

readings or questions at home before attending class.

Feb 23rd

SPOKEN ENGLISH TRAINING

Chapter 8 (pg44 – 47)•Crazy Kat Reading – Why did they call him Crazy Kat? Do you think he is a good teacher? Why or why not? Have you ever had a teacher like him?

•Important words/phrases: wishful thinking, be thrown out, a medical certificate, a demerit, to talk back, a slacker, to memorize, homework, to be expelled

•Things at school – lockers, an eraser, a blackboard, sticky tape, paper clips, a ruler, a globe, a calculator

•Activity - Pick your favorite school subject. Give three reasons why you liked it. Explain to your partner then the class.

Mar 2nd

SPOKEN ENGLISH TRAINING

Chapter 8 (pg48 – 51)•Absent from class – Have you ever been absent? What are some common reasons people are absent?

•An Alibi – Complete the reading on page 50. Prepare to answer questions.

•Students in Taiwan – What’s the difference between teachers and students in Taiwan? Are they equal? Do you think it is fair?

•Activity – Do you prefer foreign teachers or Taiwanese teachers? Give at least three reasons supporting your decision. Share your speech with your classmate first then the entire class.

Mar 9th

SPOKEN ENGLISH TRAINING

Chapter 9 (pg52 – 54)•Do you believe in ghosts? – Are ghosts real? Have you ever seen a ghost? Where do you think you could find a ghost?

•Activity – Story Telling – Read the four stories with a partner. One partner must take notes and listen while the others read. Compare your notes with the story to see how accurate you were.

•Important vocabulary – a grave, a graveyard, a tombstone, a coffin, to bury someone, to haunt, supernatural, voodoo, a vampire, a zombie, a mummy

Mar 16th

SPOKEN ENGLISH TRAINING

Chapter 9 (pg55 – 57)•Where could you find a ghost/zombie/vampire?

•Read and discuss the questions on page 56 with your partner.

•Activity – Storytelling – With a partner make up a ghost story. Be sure to include a scary ending. Practice the story with your partner before presenting it to the whole class.

Mar 23rd

SPOKEN ENGLISH TRAINING

Chapter 10 (pg58 – 62)•Two-faced Ted – What does two faced mean? Why did the man lie to the woman? Do you know anyone who is two-faced?

•Important vocabulary – to withdraw money, an ATM, a PIN number, bucks, traveler’s checks, a form, the storkc market, to make a killing.

•Welfare money – Do you think welfare is a good idea? Is it important to save? Should Taiwan have a better welfare system?

•Activity – What do you think you could do to make money fast? Think of three ways and share them with your partner. Make a list of five good ideas with your partner and then share them with the class.

Mar 30th

SPOKEN ENGLISH TRAINING

Mid-term Review•Pick a topic with your friend (ghosts, money, school).

•Write a five minute dialogue with your friend about the topic you chose.

•Show the dialogue to your teacher to confirm that it is acceptable.

•Prepare to answer questions related to your topic.

•This dialogue will be tested as your mid-term spoken assessment.

Apr 13th

SPOKEN ENGLISH TRAINING

Mid-term Test

Apr 20th

SPOKEN ENGLISH TRAINING

Chapter 11 (pg63 – 64)•Important vocabulary – a thunderstorm, sunny, drizzle, cloudy, showers, windy, Celsius, typhoon

•Listening Activity – Look at the map on page 63. How many countries can you identify? Do you know what the weather is usually like in those countries? Discuss with a partner then share your views with the class.

•Weather, geological and natural disaster words – thermometer, an iceberg, a volcano, a lighthouse, a tornado, a flood.

•Activity – What do you think the weather will be like this week? Use definitely, probably, maybe, possibly to describe what the weather will be like for the remainder of the week.

Apr 27th

SPOKEN ENGLISH TRAINING

Chapter 11 (pg65 – 66)•Listen to your teacher and fill in the chart on page 65. Write the name of the city and what the weather may be like.

•100 years from now – Read the questions on page 66. What do you think the world will be like 100 years for now? With a partner think of three things you believe may happen. Share them with the class and listen for the best ideas.

•Activity – Read the dialogue on page 66. Make your own short dialogue with a friend about the weather in Taiwan. Be sure to mention three different cities and what the weather is like in each of those cities.

May 4th

SPOKEN ENGLISH TRAINING

Chapter 12 (pg67 – 69)•Phil’s bad luck – How did Phil get his injuries? What kind of injuries does he have? Have you ever had any serious injuries yourself?

•Grammar Exercise – complete the exercise on page 68. Match the passive voice sentences to the correct picture.

•Important vocabulary – a sprained/twisted ankle, wrist, a strained muscle, a pulled muscle, a bruise, a black eye, a graze, a bee sting, to be sunburned, to faint, to have a nosebleed

•Activity – Which of the three injuries above do you think are bad? What about them makes you think they are bad? Discuss with your partner and then the class.

May 11th

SPOKEN ENGLISH TRAINING

Chapter 12 (pg70 – 72)•What would you do if you were in a forest and – you cut your hand? Broke your leg? Broke your arm? Discuss with your partner and then the class.

•Look at the pictures on page 71 and try to identify the correct injury. Work with a partner first and then share your guesses with the class.

•Do the reading on page 72 first. What famous people from Taiwan were injured? What was the injury? What about from other countries? What were their injuries?

•Activity – Pick an injury and then try to describe the injury to your partner. Your partner must ask questions like “Can you walk?” “Does your leg hurt?” to try and guess what injury you have. You cannot tell your partner the name of your injury. They must guess.

May 18th

SPOKEN ENGLISH TRAINING

Final Exam Review•Pick a topic with your friend (weather, injuries).

•Write a three minute story about your topic. You will do this individually.

•Show the story to your teacher to confirm that it is acceptable.

•Prepare to answer questions related to your topic.

•This dialogue will be tested as your mid-term spoken assessment.

May 18th

SPOKEN ENGLISH TRAINING

Final Exam

May 25th