Hey guys, I’m new to having my own classroom, especially teaching children. I have a few questions and was hoping perhaps someone could offer some advice.
1. I have two courses, one of them is called a “study course”(students start to learn basic grammar and words, prepare for EIKEN Level 5). I have a new student (9 years old) and an older student (11 years old) in that course. Their levels are entirely different; the 9-year-old girl is just starting to go through the textbook “しゃべって覚える小学生の英会話”, and the 11-year-old girl has already finished it. Basically, I’m unsure how to teach them simultaneously in a 50-minute session. Should I give the 9-year-old girl more homework so she can catch up? Is there another tactic?
2. I want to use a projector in the classroom, but I can’t install anything on the wall or ceiling. Does anyone have a good recommendation?
Any advice will be appreciated!
10 comments
I used to use a table and then I’d put it on there. It was a short table and if i pointed it up the table wouldnt onstruct the view. U could probly use a chair
those girls shouldn’t be in the same class imo
When it comes to projectors, I think the M1 Mini Hikari is pretty good. I use it as a tv when watching movies and light gaming. It is very sensitive to light, so keep that in mind. You can just place it on a desk or chair. Also, the remote is very important. You can’t operate it without it.
Have a speaking lesson together for 30-40 minutes, try to do topics that can be relevant to both students, then finish the lesson with workbook time where they can each work at their own pace, and you just facilitate their learning. Otherwise, they really shouldn’t be in the same lesson, and unless the lower level one is really eager to learn (can happen), she’ll likely shy-up.
Has the 11 year old done Eiken 5? Throw out (buy back) the nine year old’s text book and start them on the same Eiken book.
depending on their speaking levels you could have the stronger student teach the weaker one in English, even if the older student knows the material explaining it in a second language would be a good challenge for them.
We use large TVs instead of projectors. Can link to computer via HDMI cable, no issues with glare, lighting, people getting in the way, warming up the projector, etc.
Plus TVs have speakers built in, etc. On Amazon a decent sized TV is 30,000-40,000 yen.
I suggest you read about differentiation strategies. The idea is basically that you provide differentiated activities closer to the individual levels of each student, but they are still related in terms of topic or context of the class.
Misconception 1: it’s not about making it easier for them. There still has to be some level of challenge that leads to academic growth.
Misconception 2: the goal is not to have all students on the same level (unless it is, but especially given the age difference I assume it shouldn’t be). The kids will continue to learn and develop skills at their own pace.
Super random example: ordering food at the restaurant. The lower level student reviews vocabulary while the higher level student constructs sentences. They could also meet halfways by having the lower level student using prompts that include the reviewed vocabulary and the higher level student uses the sentences to role play a conversation. Both learn and the lower levels benefit from the interaction with the higher levels, while the higher levels are not ‘restricted’ in a class aimed at lower level students.
Hope it helps.
A mobile monitor. 15” is cheap
Have the smart one teach the other.