Jigsaw Video Showing: Let's Speak More in Past Tense

Background

Conversation class (CV) requires more tasks in speaking, since the class is aimed to boost students' bravery to speak using English. Past tense topic can be boring if we don't manage it very well for CV students. From my experience, most of the students do not really like deductive learning. One of the benefits of teaching CV students in LIA is, basically they have understood the grammatical rules already. Past tense sentences must be uttered in the form of S+V2+O. I think it's not necessary to discuss about the rule anymore. Here, the focus is how to motivate them to speak past tense automatically when they are talking about past events. Of course a fun task or activity is needed here.

Jigsaw Video Showing

I am going to introduce "Jigsaw Video Showing". It's just like other jigsaws, but we focus more on observation. Let me give you the procedures on how to conduct this activity.
1. Teacher (T) prepare a movie (It's not really a long and complete movie, but the most important is the movie has opening, climax and resolution session. We can cut the middle part of the movie.)
2. T divides the class into 2 big group (half of them stay in the class, and the rest stay outside).
3. Let's say they are group A and B.
4. A will watch the movie but only half of it. They have to observe the plot or the happening in the movie. Let's say group A watch "X" part. If necessary they can make note on a small paper.
5. T pauses the movie (the "X" part). Then T call Group B in.
6. Group B will do the same thing like A, but B watches "Y" part of the movie. They can also make a note in a small paper.
7. After the movie finishes, now A and B can share what they see to their partner, using past tense.
8. During the sharing moment, T goes around the class to monitor whether they use past tense properly or not.
9. Now, both A and B get the overall story in the movie.


How to make it more challenging?

If the activity is not challenging, it doesn't come from me. I want to make this activity more challenging by giving assessment by the end of the task. This is the following procedure.
1. T asks all students in A group to stand up in front of the class.
2. T gives questions or quiz all about the movie part "Y" (on which students B have watched, it's not their own notes). The purpose of this assessment is to check, whether they are good listener of their friend's story or not, or whether their friend gave correct information or not.
3. If they can answer T gives them point, if they give wrong answer T gives powder on their face as punishment.
4. T does the same task to B group. They must answer quiz about "X" part (from A group).

Evaluation

I have done this activity in my CV2 class. They were very happy. Some of them were eager to speak in past tense, although I still found some mistakes in pronouncing V2. Therefore they needed to speak it out, so that I could correct their mistake, anyway. This activity involves fun moment, focus, and more student-student (S-S) interaction too.

Working Environment

Going to the office is not simply just going to a particular place. We are moving and exchanging. We move and exchange norms, rules, and people to deal with that are possibly different from our home. We are going to meet a working environment.

In Indonesia, most people define 'office' as something formal in their routine. The formality of their thoughts creates a particular working environment that I may say tend to be more serious than it is. Our people still value working as something urgent, an obligation that needs to be conducted and there is no bargaining in this principle. Well, that is good, and it must be like that. But what makes me keep wondering is why our people are so difficult to create positive working environment.

Working environment is created. Usually it is initiated by the pioneers in a company, and the rest will follow, or even improve. How lucky we are if we have positive working environment, but the condition is not that satisfying in negative working environment.

As I quote from a site talking about working environment; "Work-life balance is about people having a measure of control over when, where and how they work, leading them to be able to enjoy an optimal quality of life. Work-life balance is achieved when an individual's right to a fulfilled life inside and outside paid work is accepted and respected as the norm, to the mutual benefit of the individual, business and society. "http://www.bris.ac.uk/pwe/work_life_balance.html

Is the working environment in your office positive?

When people do not respect each other's privacy, that's one sign of bad environment. When all people want to be greeted but they do not want to start first, that's bad. When you have to be the first person that always starts the smile, and they do not do the same thing like you, that's a pity. The worst thing is when your existence is not important at all for them. Then you start asking; “what’s the matter with me and them?” If you really experience those conditions, I’m afraid you can not stay in this kind of environment for long term. Unless you are mature enough dealing with these chaoses or even you don’t care at all.

It is not easy to start understanding others. It’s not easy to listen more. It is not easy to open our mind towards someone’s idea or opinion. Those difficulties really hamper us.

What makes us difficult to understand others?

The desire to be respected is the biggest enemy. Deep inside our heart, we need friends that support us and who are always at our side whether we are right or wrong. We need to be the main policy maker, so that everyone bows down and respect us. But, what if the facts do not support our willingness? Will you be angry? burned out? regret? upset? Or just let it go, and I don’t care.

I have seen a lot of people who are too fast to be proud of themselves and few people who can put away their ego and keep it safely in their pockets. Is it because of the education? generation problems? Or what?

I am searching for the answer, I keep observing then immediately learn something from what I observe. There must be some reasons that support my answer. Keep understanding people is the best way.

How do I improve my fluency?

Anyone who has studied a foreign language knows how difficult it is to become really fluent. The way a language is spoken in a classroom is often different than the more informal style of speaking used in everyday life. There are many idioms and slang terms to become familiar with. Seeking opportunities to actively use language is very important to reach the goal of fluency. Here are some suggestions to help you practice your language skills.

1. Find a conversation partner. Try to find someone in your school or community that is a native speaker, and ask him or her to meet with you regularly to have conversations in that language. This is a great way to get experience with actual usage, talking to someone with whom you feel comfortable. You'll be able to ask questions about how to speak correctly and appropriately, while discussing topics that interest both of you. Maybe you can offer to help your partner learn your native language also.

2. Watch some TV. Try to find a foreign language TV station and watch often. At first the actors will seem to speak too quickly, but try to recognize a few words or phrases. Later it'll become easier to follow dialogue. Pay attention to patterns of pronunciation, and the way that the voices rise and fall when questions are asked and statements are made. Children's shows are great for learning and reviewing basic concepts such as alphabets, counting, object names and more. You can gain some understanding of pop culture and life-styles in another country by watching advertisements and game shows.

3. If you are visiting a foreign country and trying to learn the language, you'll want to take every opportunity to go out and practice. Each day make a habit of going into a place like a shop, restaurant or bank. Even if you're only buying a loaf of bread or a newspaper, you can try to do so in the host language. Successfully making a purchase or getting information in a foreign language will help you become more confident. As you become more comfortable in these kinds of public situations, you can try to engage others in a bit of casual, polite conversation - a comment about the weather, for example. You'll feel less frustrated about your language skills when you accomplish these functional, routine kinds of activities. Going grocery shopping in your hometown may not be very interesting, but in a foreign culture it can be fascinating - any situation can be a learning experience!

from www. englishclub.com

How to Motivate Low-Motivated Students

About Me: In Brief

Getting away from my comfortable house every evening, has made special impression into my life. My job as an evening teacher teaches me a lot on how to deal with students. I worked for a famous English course in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia. I love working in this institution, I have gone through some fun moments. Through this kind of experience, I learned a lot, and I'll keep learning till unlimited time that I can never predict.

In my country, there is never enough salary to pay teachers. I don't know why, I kept questioning this thing, but it is useless. All we have to do is just do our best and let God do the rest.

My students are unique. They are the next generation that are going to lead this country to the future. Sometimes I think I need to give what they need, unfortunately the kids do not really understand. All youngsters want to master English so that they can face the future better. That is exactly the same perception their parents give to them. Most students convey this common reason to me, everytime I open the class. One of their biggest dreams is having international business relationship. To me, that's great and challenging. However, they do not want to do the process, I mean the hard work and that's a pity.

Since my class is only a course, they just neglect it. The hard challenge is how to motivate them to love or to realize that the course is important.

How to motivate them?

Motivation is something that is necessary for anyone. We can not be successful without motivation. It seems easy to be said, but it's not that easy to apply. The challenge is every student has different way to be motivated. As teachers we have a noble job to motivate students, give them good dreams and hopes and make them optimistic towards the future. I did some points to motivate my students.

1. Dig their deepest dream

I asked my students about their deepest dreams. I made dreams' tree and sticked it on the wall. Then they students had to write down their dreams on a piece of paper (that had been already shaped like leaves), and sticked it on the wall around the picture of tree's trunk.

2. Teach them how to make an affirmation

I brought mirror to the class. The mirror was quite big enough, so that all their body could be seen in the mirror. I asked them to say their dream while looking at their eyes on the mirror. They had to say it three times. For instance, "I want to have international business" (they said 3 times).

3. Involve them in a discussion about the consequences they must do in order to make their dreams come true.

Communication is important. We need to open interaction with students a lot. Give questions, let them answer. The more questions we give the more information we can get from the students. I asked them about the consequences "What should you do to make it true?", they would answer variously. I made coloum on the whiteboard and my private note, as a visualization and reminder towards their sayings.

4. Always remind them when they are not in a good mood

The importance of notes as a reminder is we can always remind our students with their dreams whenever they are in a bad mood. If necessary, sometimes I brought pictures that represent their dreams. For example; a picture of London, great houses, magnificent places, etc.

5. Persist and Do not Stop

Do not stop motivating. Each student has different magic moment. When a student has their hot button and he or she finds his/her magic moment, it will be easier to shape or educate them. This is the hardest job that teachers rarely can do, regarding their low salary.

To conclude, as a teacher we learn how to teach, and teach how to learn. Listen more, talk less, let the students express themselves, then we just direct them to the right path. Actually they know what to do. I am talking about adults' learners. All I know, they just need confirmation on their thoughts.