Meet English Conversation Partner Judy
[one_second]In this series of introducing some of our English Conversation Partners, we feature Judy. Judy lives in beautiful of Hawaii and is an avid globetrotter. Today she shares some of her insights teaching English for non native ESL students from around the world. If you are interested in scheduling a trial Skype English lesson with Judy, send us an email to info@spokenenglishpractice.com with “Judy” in the title and we will be happy to do so. As always, the goal of sharing interviews such as these in our blog is to help English learners finding the most effective route to becoming fluent English speakers, so pls share your thoughts and comments!
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How would you describe a typical English lesson at Spoken English Practice
Start with pleasant greetings. Perhaps a word about the weather where you and the student are. Inquire about what’s gone on between current session and the previous session. Determine what is the ‘pressing’ issue on the English learner’s mind on this particular day. Ask if there were any questions the learner wanted to ask about the last conversation. From these openings it is up to the people on both sides of the conversation to carry forward a conversation with the caveat that the instructor must be vigilant and not allow redundancy during the time online together
What are some conversation topics you talk about in class?
Travel. Living abroad. Photography. Family. Favorite foods. Hobbies. Books read. Languages spoken.
In your view, what area in English do students need the most help? Grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation or something else?
I think each individual has different needs and desires. I always try to determine which is the most important to an individual and devise English lessons to meet that need. I do this in a class with more than 10 students as well. Always try to understand what the student wants to learn/do. I am the facilitator and it’s my job to help each person progress in developing language skills.
What are your top 3 tips to ESL students around the world?
Speak English every day with everyone!
Listen and watch English television programs.
Don’t use a translating dictionary, i.e. from English language to native language. Use an English/English dictionary. Otherwise you become good at translating but not at thinking in English.
What do you enjoy most about teaching English?
The opportunity to engage with ESL students around the world on a one-to-one basis.
A little bit about what you like to do when you are not teaching English. Where do you like to travel?
- South Africa. Particularly the game reserves in South Africa.
- VietNam for the beauty of the country and the friends we have met there in the past 6 visits.
- Island nations, e.g. Fiji, French Polynesia Maldives, Mauritius.
