I’m interested in doing a language exchange program. When do you introduce new vocab and phrases vs. sticking to ones they know? How do you give feedback about their mistakes, if at all? How do you assess the abilities of new students and modulate to their level of knowledge? How do you motivate shy students to want to talk and make mistakes? Thanks for helping!
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I try to keep introducing vocab at a steady pace, but if I notice they’re getting overwhelmed I slow down a bit.
I give feedback when I think it’s a mistake that I just can’t let slide, but if it’s a mistake I don’t have the jurisdiction to fix ( for instance I teach grammar, but they make a pronunciation mistake) then I take a note and send it to the appropriate teacher.
As for modulation… I tend to teach according to the student with the least amount of knowledge. I keep the more knowledgeable students’ attention by throwing the more difficult stuff their way.
I tell my shy students, it’s normal to by shy. But that they have to speak for me to be able to help them improve. If they don’t speak, I cannot grade them on their ability and cannot let them pass. I try to be open about this with my students. They can always talk to me about their fears and social anxiety, but I cannot allow students to go into the world with a degree that they didn’t earn.
If they don’t talk enough, I’ll tell them. And if they don’t improve (with or without my help) I cannot allow them to keep following my classes and they get a refund for the classes that they can no longer take.
Never had to give a refund by the way.